Jacksonville Jaguars Preseason Power Rankings: Not near the bottom
By Daniel Lago
For the first time since 2008, the Jacksonville Jaguars enter the regular season with tangible expectations and a middling ranking in most power rankings.
Power rankings are the source of much debate throughout the NFL regular season so national media outlets churn them out week after week. Preseason rankings are generally a soft carry-over from the previous season, but some teams get a significant bump depending on what they did in the offseason. This year, the Jacksonville Jaguars are benefiting from one of the more effective offseason periods in recent memory
More from Jacksonville Jaguars News
- NFL officially reinstates Jacksonville Jaguars WR Calvin Ridley: 3 immediate takeaways
- Derek Carr immediately makes Jaguars vs. Saints 2023 away game Must-Watch TV
- Jacksonville Jaguars fortify secondary in 4-round 2023 Post-Combine NFL Mock Draft
- Jacksonville Jaguars RT Jawaan Taylor expected to have massive market in 2023 NFL Free Agency
- Robert Tonyan could be perfect complement to Jacksonville Jaguars TE Evan Engram in 2023 NFL Free Agency
Jacksonville Jaguars general manager
suffixed an impressive free agent haul with an outstanding, defensive-heavy draft class. National analysts love what the Jaguars did and it shows – the Jaguars are consistently ranked in the middle of the pack in power rankings for the first time in years. Here’s a brief collection of some rankings around the web as we get ready for the start of the 2016 season:
"18. Jacksonville Jaguars: 8-8The Jaguars, like the Raiders, have improved dramatically of late. They have a bevy of young talent on defense, led by Jalen Ramsey, Myles Jack and Dante Fowler. Yet, the offense is the more stable unit. Blake Bortles and the “Allen Bros.” – Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns – are as explosive of a trio as any in the NFL. They just need more experience as a whole."
"17. Jacksonville JaguarsThe Jaguars are finally climbing up the rankings after sitting at the bottom for the better part of a decade.Jacksonville was among the most aggressive teams in the league this offseason, signing a bevy of veterans including corner Prince Amukamara, safety Tashaun Gipson, defensive tackle Malik Jackson and offensive tackle Kelvin Beachum. The draft was also a coup for the Jaguars, who landed defensive back Jalen Ramsey and linebacker Myles Jack with consecutive picks. Should Dante Fowler Jr. come back from his torn ACL and contribute off the edge, this defense may go from terrible to terrifying.With all that said, questions remain. Can Blake Bortles cut down on the interceptions and will the offensive line keep him upright? Last year, the Jaguars were fourth worst in sacks allowed, leading to Bortles’ league-leading 18 interceptions.If the Jaguars’ front wall can give Bortles some time, and provide holes for both Chris Ivory and T.J. Yeldon, Jacksonville could make the playoffs for the first time since the Jack Del Rio era. It remains to be seen if the Jaguars are ready to compete with the big boys in the AFC, but taking the division crown in a weak AFC South is certainly doable.Record prediction: 8-8"
"17. JAGUARS"
"Jaguars fans often feel the national media is not on their side. Can’t say that about this ranking. Sure, 17th feels like one below the middle of the pack. Maybe because it is one below the middle of the pack. Yet, if you saw how Jacksonville’s starters fared versus the Bengals in Week 3 of the preseason, you would think this ranking is for the Sun Belt Conference. (If you need word association, go with “cruddy.”) That said, the faith starts now. Particularly in an improved offense that was already productive last year. The defense needs to merely be above average."
"19. Jacksonville Jaguars2015 record: 5-11Preseason ranking: No. 20The young Jaguars will be put to the test early when Aaron Rodgers and the Packers roll into town in Week 1. The Jaguars haven’t won a season opener since 2011, but they have their best offense since 2007, when they finished sixth in scoring and made the playoffs."