Jaguars Biggest Needs To Address Past 2022

Jaguars Will Find Themselves With Fewer Holes Than in Previous Years

Regardless of how the Jaguars finish this season, it's been made clear that this roster has had more talent and capability than almost every iteration of the team since their AFC Championship appearance. Even though the Jaguars have spent pretty much all of their available cap room for the next season, you can still expect some big changes to the team and some familiar names to depart. This article will consider each position with the players who are under contract past this year and show some grace towards positions with prove-it scenarios. The edge position is the best example of this and is our honorable mention. Jacksonville will need to improve their performance in the pass rushing department, but that will have to once again be on the shoulders of Josh Allen and Travon Walker unless the team wants to move on from their seventh overall pick in the 2019 draft.

There are three players that I don't expect to be retained by the Jaguars next year and are the clear-cut options for spending room: Shaquill Griffin($13.5M savings), Roy Robertson-Harris($7.8M savings), and Rayshawn Jenkins($6.25M savings). This would get the Jaguars over the mark at nearly $12M in available cap space when factoring in Calvin Ridley returning on his fifth-year option. Jacksonville would then have enough room to resign some but not all of Dawuane Smoot, Jawaan Taylor, Evan Engram, and Arden Key. Tough decisions will need to be made by the front office early in the off-season before they can reload in the draft. Without further ado, here are the biggest needs considering all of these things in the 2023 offseason.

Cornerback

Cornerback play this season has been two entirely different stories. On one side, Shaquill Griffin is one of Jacksonville's highest paid players and in spite of this has played as one of the worst starting cornerbacks in the NFL. In two separate performances, teams that were down against the Jaguars were able to take advantage of their matchup and arguably win due to an abysmal performance from Griffin. Since Griffin was sidelined early this season, teams have continued to take advantage of matchups on the outside against Tre Herndon and rookie Montaric Brown. Fans have called for Darious Williams to return to his natural role on the outside, however it seems as if the team is committed to transitioning him into a slot corner role.

The other side of this position has been nothing but a treat to watch for fans. Tyson Campbell has quickly developed into a lockdown cornerback and perhaps his most impressive performance from a mental standpoint was against Davante Adams in Week 9. In spite of being beat multiple times early in the game and giving up well over 100 yards, Campbell was able to take Adams out of the game in the second half and help pave the road to a 27-3 comeback victory.

Arguably one of the quickest ways that Jacksonville could improve their defense is to add a great cornerback in the draft. I'll be closely watching Christian Gonzalez, Kelee Ringo, and Joey Porter Jr. throughout the rest of the college football season. If the Jaguars hit on a second lockdown cornerback it'll take more offensive weapons out of the game, force quarterbacks to hold onto the ball longer, and most importantly convert more of the pressures into sacks for the defensive line.

Tight End

The Jaguars are currently set to see a mass exodus at the tight end position as Evan Engram, Dan Arnold, and Chris Manhertz are all on expiring contracts. I do believe that the long-term solution at this position is currently on the roster and should be sought out on an extension this offseason. Evan Engram is on track for 600 yards and two touchdowns this year which although it may not seem impressive may require a deeper look. Having gone to some games this year and watched on television as well, Evan Engram has displayed an impressive level of effort and been able to convert on crucial third downs with hard-fought yards after catch.

Doug Pederson has always valued the tight end position and even if they were to resign Engram to an extension, you could argue a second tight end could be a solid investment. This could come in the form of resigning Dan Arnold or drafting one in the middle rounds of the NFL Draft. Don't be surprised if the Jaguars work to retain many of these players or draft a touted prospect in April.

Safety

Similar to the cornerbacks, the safety position has an overperforming young player and a seasoned veteran who is struggling in coverage while on a big contract. I do want to say that not all has been doom and gloom for Rayshawn Jenkins as he's been able to generate some turnovers and help in all the little things, but he will likely offer too much cap relief to be retained. Andre Cisco seems like a great hit in the third round for Jacksonville and now it's time for the Jaguars to fill their other position.

Andrew Wingard has proven to be a valuable backup safety and special teams player so I would expect Jacksonville to resign him for another year. There will likely be some options available in the draft that present good value so I wouldn't be surprised at all to see another safety drafted in the third round. If the Jaguars could hit on another safety then it's going to improve the overall play of the defense much like the cornerback position. It'd be pretty sweet to see the Jackson Five make a return.

Offensive Line

The offensive line is a tricky unit to evaluate going into the future. It's entirely likely that the Jaguars may already have their 2023 starters under contract while it's also very possible that they could need starters at left guard and right tackle. I have to find more concern at the right tackle spot since Walker Little has been unable to win a starting role after having two opportunities to knock off veterans on both sides. Having invested a second round pick, it's very possible that Little could cruise into a starting role, but the Jaguars will likely need to add competition for him. However, the Jaguars should be open to many positions in the first round and choose the best prospect available, so don't be surprised if they add a highly touted player like Peter Skoronski, Olu Fashanu, or Paris Johnson Jr.

The Jaguars will have a lot of questions to answer in the offseason. As of now I would expect to see a lot of players get another chance at starting and for this team to continue growing towards its ceiling. If Jacksonville can navigate a tough offseason and maintain a talented roster then they'll be easily be in the hunt for the playoffs.

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