The Jacksonville Jaguars have just wrapped up their rookie minicamp and now we enter a period of rampant speculation. It’s a long time until football starts, but until it does we’ve got a lot to project for the 2015 NFL season.
It may be a bit early, but we’ll be projecting the 2015 Jacksonville Jaguars starters here early before training camp so we can get a feel for how the team will look come week one. After a productive free agency period and 2015 NFL Draft, the Jaguars will have some changes to their starting lineup.
We’ll take it by position here.
Nov 30, 2014; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) throws the ball during the second quarter against the New York Giants at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Quarterback
Starter: Blake Bortles, 2014 First Round Pick
The Jacksonville Jaguars are Blake Bortles’ team come hell or high water. He showed some serious promise during his rookie campaign (which he was supposed to be on the bench for) and should come out swinging in his sophomore effort. The Jags expect the third overall pick of 2014 to be the franchise quarterback for the next 10 years and, barring injury, he should fulfill that expectation.
That potential we saw from Bortles last season will be built upon with a strong offseason of work. Bortles has been learning from throwing gurus, working on his strength so his arm doesn’t deteriorate again, and he’s been reaching out to his teammates and acting like the leader he is expected to be. He’s doing everything right so we should see growth from him in year two. He was the worst quarterback in the league statistically last season so the only way he has to go is up.
Addressing the depth behind him, Chad Henne returns as the backup. He surrendered the starter role to Bortles last season after failing to spark the offense in his first couple of outings. We often overlook how professional Henne has been about the entire situation and it is important to note that he is willingly filling the mentor role for Bortles. While Henne hasn’t been the best quarterback in the history of quarterbacking, he does have a lot of starting experience and can help Bortles as he takes his lumps during his first couple of seasons.
Next: Running Back Gets a Shakeup
Oct 4, 2014; Oxford, MS, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back T.J. Yeldon (4) runs for a first down during the first half against Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Running Back
Starter: T.J. Yeldon, Second Round Draft Pick
The Jacksonville Jaguars overhauled their running back positions this offseason, parting ways with the full back position entirely and bringing in fresh blood like T.J. Yeldon and Bernard Pierce. Early 2014 starter Toby Gerhart will become a halfback/fullback hybrid runner with more diverse duties and 2014 standout Denard Robinson will be the primary change of pace behind Yeldon.
The Yeldon selection early in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft was a surprise to some people as every running back except Todd Gurley and Melvin Gordon was left on the board. The Jaguars felt most comfortable with Yeldon and brought him in.
Head coach Gus Bradley needed to address the running back position in the 2015 NFL Draft after is ground to a halt at times in 2014. By bringing in Yeldon, he hopes to turn the position into a strength. Yeldon looks to be the bell cow back the Jaguars have needed since Maurice Jones-Drew ran out of tread and he will come in to carry the load immediately. This is to the benefit of Denard Robinson, who has excelled as a fluid running back performing change of pace duties. Robinson impressed at times last season, but he’s not a true NFL running back at this point in his career (transitioning from quarterback at Michigan) and he’ll have a chance to hone his skills while not being expected to be something he isn’t, yet.
Next: Which Young Receivers Get the Starting Nod?
Aug 22, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Allen Hurns (88) runs into the end zone after making a catch for a touchdown during the third quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Wide Receiver
WR1: Allen Robinson, 2014 Second Round Draft Pick
WR2: Allen Hurns, 2014 Undrafted Free Agent
You would assume that Marqise Lee – Allen Robinson’s fellow second round pick from 2014 – would be the second starter at wide receiver for the Jaguars, but I think the bigger bodied Allen Hurns will get the nod at the end of the offseason. Hurns had the most receiving yardage for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2014 with 677 while Robinson had an impressive 48 receptions for 548 yards last year.
Both Robinson and Hurns started for significant time during the 2014 season, so it makes sense to bring them back as starters in 2015. I like pairing the dependable Robinson with the big play threat of Hurns right out of the gate as the team will have big bodied (both of them are 6’3″) targets for Blake Bortles to utilize. Marqise Lee provides an intriguing option and was brought to the Jaguars to be a primary pass catcher, so expect him to be utilized a lot as well.
The Jags never managed to bring in the veteran pass catcher that they wanted this offseason, though it appears that the coaching staff is satisfied with the way the young receiving unit is shaking out. There were mistakes by the young receivers last season with Allen Robinson coming out as the most dependable of them all but we should expect them all to progress after a full offseason of work and with a year of NFL experience under their belts.
While the Jaguars have removed the fullback position, don’t expect them to start three receivers (at least not every game). New offensive coordinator Greg Olson likes using two tight end sets and will utilize them to take advantage of the defense.
Next: Tight End Could be Crucial for Blake Bortles
Sep 29, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos tight end Julius Thomas (80) runs with the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles in the first quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Tight End
TE1: Julius Thomas, 2015 Free Agent Addition
TE2: Marcedes Lewis, Former First Round Pick
Julius Thomas was the big free agent addition for the Jacksonville Jaguars this offseason. He comes boasting 24 touchdowns as one of Peyton Manning’s primary receiving threats the last two years. He commanded top dollar and got it by coming to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
While many speculated that the Jaguars would do away with the under-performing Marcedes Lewis after the arrival of Julius Thomas, it is more likely that new offensive coordinator Greg Olson finds a way to utilize Lewis in concert with Thomas. Lewis was once a premiere pass catching tight end and he has been lauded for his blocking ability since he came into the league. While he hasn’t performed up to expectations after landing a monster contract in after a big 2010, he still has the ability to do big things as a veteran for a young offense.
I like the idea of using two tight ends (especially big ones like Thomas and Lewis) for the young Blake Bortles to get his feet wet in his second year at quarterback. The Jaguars have two weapons at the position to help out in case a play goes sour or if the wide receiving corps doesn’t progress like expected in their second year.
Next: Big Changes Along the Offensive Line
May 16, 2014; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars guard Brandon Linder (65) signs an autograph for a fan during Rookie Minicamp at Florida Blue Health and Wellness Practice Fields. Mandatory Credit: Phil Sears-USA TODAY Sports
Offensive Line
LT: Luke Joeckel, 2013 First Round Pick
LG: A.J. Cann, 2015 Third Round Pick
C: Luke Bowanko, 2014 Sixth Round Pick
RG: Brandon Linder, 2014 Third Round Pick
RT: Jermey Parnell, 2015 Free Agent Addition
The offensive line was overhauled this offseason and it’s a good thing for Blake Bortles and the Jacksonville Jaguars. The black hole at right tackle has been filled by 2014 Dallas Cowboys standout Jermey Parnell and Bane Zeadles finds himself replaced by a third round selection in the 2015 NFL Draft at left guard. Beadles wasn’t a major under-performer, but general manager Dave Caldwell believed he could either do better or find someone else who could. Cann can step in and play immediately.
Stefen Wisniewski was signed away from the Oakland Raiders at center and while he expects to start, I’m giving the nod to Bowanko based on the potential he displayed last season. Wisniewski is a 61 game starter and will certainly be tough competition for the young Bowanko, though. This is a position where I could certainly be wrong and it’s perfectly fine if I am because Wisniewski is a proven veteran and knows how to be successful at his position.
The biggest standout along the offensive line is Brandon Linder at right guard. He was an absolute stud as a rookie last season and he can only build on his success going forward. The Jaguars were fortunate to bring him in last offseason and I hope he has another stellar year.
Luke Joeckel is the big wild card along the offensive line. While early indications are positive, the first selection of Dave Caldwell’s tenure as general manager has been a disappointment thus far. Originally starting at right tackle and then breaking his ankle at left, Joeckel hasn’t been able to play up to weight and he hasn’t been able to get comfortable with the Jaguars yet in his young career. I like what he could do given a strong offseason of work, he just has to go out and prove it this year.
We’ll revisit all of the starters closer to the start of the season as well as we learn more about the abilities of the new additions and progress made by the young players.
Next: Neal Sterling Signed by Jaguars
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