The Jacksonville Jaguars are poised for a big year in 2015, building on a disappointing (but expected) 7-25 record over the past two years.
General manager Dave Caldwell and head coach Gus Bradley are entering their third year in their respective jobs and have something to prove to owner Shad Khan this season. While it is doubtful they are on the hot seat, it’s important that they show progress as they went from four wins in 2013 to three wins in 2014.
A big part of their success will be the players they have brought in progressing. They are rebuilding a roster that was grossly mismanaged under former general manager Gene Smith and have brought in a lot of new talent, but the results haven’t been there yet. Part of that is because some players are performing to expectations. With an even bigger talent influx during the 2015 offseason, there are a number of players who must step up to prove they belong on the team and can be part of the future success.
Here are five Jacksonville Jaguars who must step up in 2015.
Sep 29, 2013; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars tackle Luke Joeckel (76) in the first quarter of their game against the Indianapolis Colts at EverBank Field. The Indianapolis Colts beat the Jacksonville Jaguars 37-3. Mandatory Credit: Phil Sears-USA TODAY Sports
Luke Joeckel, Left Tackle
Luke Joeckel had a rough start to his time as a Jaguar. After playing right tackle for his first few games, the Jaguars shipped starting left tackle Eugene Monroe off and move Jockel over. He broke his ankle the next game.
While that’s a tough way to start your NFL career, it’s important to note that the set back affected that season and the 2014 season. The first pick under Caldwell and second overall in 2013, Jockel is just now getting up to weight and set to be the physical player he was expected to be. He has been bullied by opposing defensive linemen thus far in his career, and must show that given a proper offseason of preparation he won’t let that happen.
The left tackle position is critical for protecting oft-sacked quarterback Blake Bortles. Bortles is the future for the Jacksonville Jaguars and Jockel, perhaps more than anyone, holds the keys to keeping his quarterback upright. If he doesn’t improve in year three, the Jaguars will need to find someone who can man the left tackle spot well or risk turning Blake Bortles into David Carr.
Next: Can Marqise Lee Not Get Lost at a Crowded Position?
Aug 28, 2014; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguar wide receiver Marqise Lee (11) catches a touchdown pass from quarterback Blake Bortles against the Atlanta Falcons during the 2nd quarter at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Richard Dole-USA TODAY Sports
Marqise Lee, Wide Receiver
There’s nothing worse than being injured and dropping into the second round of the NFL Draft after once winning a Biletnikoff Award as the best receiver in college football. Lee followed up his slide in the draft with a disappointing beginning to his NFL career. Limited to just 13 games in his first season with the Jacksonville Jaguars due to injury, Lee needs to prove that he can be on the field all 16 games and that he can be a threat when he is.
Lee was expected to be a dominant receiver upon his arrival in Jacksonville. Instead, he finished behind fellow rookie wide receivers Allen Hurns and Allen Robinson. Both Hurns and Robinson look to be much improved for 2015 after proving to be a deep threat and reliable possession receiver, respectively, in their rookie campaigns. Lee flashed some big play potential after getting the ball in his hands, but he wasn’t very effective and he wasn’t consistent enough for Blake Bortles to rely on.
For fear of being surpassed by his fellow young receivers again, Lee needs to step up in 2015. He has the talent, he just needs to put it together. While it is unlikely he would be cut after just two years with the team, he could end up as the fourth or fifth receiver on a team that thought he could be their number two.
Next: Chris Clemons Must Put Forward At Least One More Productive Season
Nov 30, 2014; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Chris Clemons (91) celebrates after receiving a fumble during the fourth quarter against New York Giants at EverBank Field. The Jaguars won 25-24. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Chris Clemons, Defensive End/LEO Pass Rusher
Brought over from the Seattle Seahawks to be the LEO pass rusher that Gus Bradley needed in his defense, Chris Clemons proved to mostly be a disappointment in 2014. Pro Football Focus has him ranked as the 33rd best pass rusher by pass rush productivity (among 4-3 defensive ends with at least 50% of snaps) for the 2014 season. This was a continued trend after dropping from 12th in 2012 to 18th in 2013 and finally down to 33rd among 4-3 defensive ends.
Entering his 11th season in the NFL, Clemons must hold out as a serviceable pass rusher for at least one more season. 2015 third overall pick Dante Fowler Jr. tore his ACL during the rookie minicamp this past weekend, leaving the LEO position relatively thin with Clemons and Andre Branch as the leaders. Branch has never lived up to his potential after being a second round pick in former GM Gene Smith’s regime. Clemons, meanwhile, has proven to be a reliable pass rusher before and needs to get back to form.
2015 will be an odd season at the LEO position, with Fowler waiting in the wings for 2016. If Clemons hopes to keep his job beyond this next season, he’ll need to prove it in 2015. It wouldn’t be shocking to see him lose snaps to Branch throughout the year, but it would be ideal if Clemons could prove that time isn’t passing him by and he can still be a productive veteran and leader of a young team. If we expand PFF’s parameters to include 4-3 defensive ends with just 25% of defensive snaps or more, Clemons drops to 47th of 56 and is two behind Branch.
Next: Can Paul Posluszny Return to Form?
Aug 22, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars middle linebacker Paul Posluszny (51) against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Paul Posluszny, Middle Linebacker
It’s tough to say it, but “Poz” needs to be on this list. Entering his fifth season with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Posluszny is the definitive leader of the Jaguars’ defense. Unfortunately, he may be passed up by his younger peers after his 2014 season was cut short with a pectoral tear. He finished 2014 with just seven games played.
Ranked 19th among inside linebackers in the league at tackling efficiency by Pro Football Focus (with 25% of defensive snaps or more), Posluszny can still put on a tackling clinic. While he didn’t get above 100 combined tackles for the first time in six seasons and above 100 solo tackles for the first time in two seasons, he should be able to return to form for 2015. He was in the top 10 of PFF’s inside linebacker tackling efficiency in 2013, 2012, and 2011 (third) so expect 2015 to simply be a fluke for his career.
Still, the concern is there that Poz could be an aging part of younger, better oiled machine. Guys like Telvin Smith excelled at times last season and will be looking to push the veterans above them for more snaps throughout the season.
While I believe the Posluszny still has the talent and ability to do the role required of him, he’ll have to prove he can still hang with the young guys on a team that seemingly keeps getting younger. He’s done a great job in the half of his career he has spent in Jacksonville and it would be a shame to see him passed up after so many quality seasons with the Jags, especially since he still defines the spirit and drive that the team has come to expect from its players.
Next: Will 2015 Be Tyson Alualu's Last Hurrah?
Dec 1, 2013; Cleveland, OH, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Tyson Alualu (93) against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Tyson Alualu, Defensive End
Tyson Alualu is a hold over from the Gene Smith era. A former first round pick, he was originally expected to excel as an interior pass rusher, paired with fellow defensive tackle Terrance Knighton. Instead, the Jacksonville Jaguars got a mediocre pass rusher who was undersized for his position and consistently bullied. Dave Caldwell and Gus Bradley have since moved Alualu over to defensive end, hoping to capitalize on his abilities better at that position after revamping the defensive tackle position.
Alualu has proven to barely be serviceable in his new role. In 2015 he was Pro Football Focus’s 51st ranked 4-3 defensive end (with at least 25% of snaps) in pass rushing efficiency (just five from the bottom). While not called upon to fill the pass rushing LEO role, Alualu was expected to be a hybrid player who could both run stop and provide pressure when asked to do so. He finished 36th among 4-3 defensive ends in run stop percentage (of 55), sitting in the middle of the road among eligible players (25% of snaps or more). While that was the best among Jags defensive ends, Alualu must improve if he wants to stick with the team.
With so few Smith-era players left on the Jaguars’ roster, Alualu seems to be an odd holdover. He hasn’t proven to be a critical piece in the defensive end rotation and he hasn’t done enough to justify more playing time. He’ll need to show what he can do to head coach Gus Bradley or risk not being with the team anymore.
Next: The Jaguars Sign Dante Fowler Jr.
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