Jacksonville Jaguars Roster 2018 Jaguars Roster

Overachieved or Just Getting Started?

The Jacksonville Jaguars were the story the 2017-18 season. Their 10-6 record did little to detail the success the team would have in the post-season. They would fall one game short of the Super Bowl to the Patriots. The box score of that contest also does little to depict how close the team was to making the trip to Minneapolis. Reflecting on the past is something the team has erased from their mindsets, placing high goals for outcomes in the 2018-19 season.

The team redefined themselves on the defensive side of the ball. The production and scoring numbers coming from the defense posted the highest averages since the great Jaguar teams of the early 2000s. The long list of players comprising to contribute to this defense boasts well for continued longevity. The core of the secondary, headlined by Jalen Ramsey, A.J. Bouye, and Tashaun Gipson remains intact. The beauty of their defensive makeup is the depth they possess at each position. Guys like Dante Fowler Jr. and Dawuane Smoot currently are placed within back-up roles. Their roles would be upgraded to starting position if placed within any other organization. The Jaguars have placed a lot of time and effort into this defense, allowing for a large rotation that can give any team a fit. The line backers and defensive line also return all major starters and even see a healthy Marcell Dareus returning to playing shape. This defense will be solidified for years to come and it will help the team protect their leads this season.

The offense took a blow when they lost Allen Robinson to Chicago and Mercedes Lewis to Green Bay. Robinson was a big-bodied, downfield threat that really let Blake Bortles air out his game. He could also cut-up defenders will his footwork, a skill rarely seen in bigger receivers. Lewis was a reliable target that Bortles favored in the red zone, so his presence will be truly missed. Losing these two players left the depleted core, but the addition of Donte Moncrief from Indianapolis and their 2nd round pick of DJ Chark looks to become sealant to these leaks. Moncrief is consistent but is much smaller than Robinson. He fills the slot position while Chark bodes well on the outside. Chark possesses a decent run-blocking game, which is important if the team looks to cut Fournette to the edges.

The big balance lies in the hands of the health of the team. They are very deep on defense and are piecing together options on offense to confuse defenses. The main areas of concern are protecting their assets in Bortles and Fournette. Bortles returns most of the offensive line he had protecting him last season, but the team will need to look at different combinations to reduce pressures on one of the most sacked quarterbacks in the game the last few seasons. This line coverage is requested the same responsibilities with Fournette. Getting him into the open field and upfield are the two areas where his game can flourish. He is not a down-and-distance player, so consistency up front is something to target for the team this off-season.