The Jacksonville Jaguars are on the rise. A big part of that is the talented roster being cultivated by general manager Dave Caldwell. The roster overhaul has been a massive project and isn’t over after 2015, but already the young talent on the Jaguars roster is bubbling, ready to boil over.
2014 gave all of us a few glimpses of that talent. From young receivers to a new quarterback to an energetic linebacker, there were flashes of talent all over the roster. Perhaps rookie guard Brandon Linder emerged as the best among them, putting together an excellent campaign and proving that Caldwell can find quality talent in the third round of the NFL Draft.
For all the flashes of talent, there were still a few hiccups. There were moments that made you cringe, want to switch the channel, and contemplate what life must be like as an Indianapolis Colts fan. (okay, that last one was a lie. DTWD!) Some of the best looking players in 2015 still struggled to impress consistently and clearly displayed a need for maturity in the NFL. We’ll highlight five players with plenty of talent who will be much better in 2015.
Oct 26, 2014; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Allen Robinson (15) attempts to catch the ball in the first quarter against the Miami Dolphins at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Richard Dole-USA TODAY Sports
1) Allen Robinson, WR
Perhaps the most obvious one on this list, Allen Robinson hype is all over the internet right now. He put up 548 yards and two touchdowns in just 10 game appearances last season, quickly becoming one of quarterback Blake Bortles’ favorite targets.
The 50th graded receiver according to Pro Football Focus, Robinson was still the most complete receiver for the Jaguars. His best attribute for 2014 was his reliability when on the field. He has only one drop credited to him and caught 63% of the balls thrown his way.
The most complete receiver for the Jaguars will get better in 2015. The hype train officially left the station a few weeks ago with reports of Robinson being far and away the best receiver for the Jaguars and putting together stellar practice after stellar practice. With an established threat at tight end in new addition Julius Thomas, Robinson should find his job as the number one receiver for the Jaguars significantly easier. He won’t have to carry the offense on his shoulders, but he’ll be given plenty of opportunities to impress.
Expect Robinson to get more targets than the 76 he had last season. If he can stay on the field for a full year then he’ll be able to put together a spectacular 2015. That injury concern is very real, but after a true offseason he may come into 2015 in better shape than the hectic post-collegiate, pre-draft process allowed him to be last year.
Next: Caldwell's first selection must step up
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
2) Luke Joeckel, LT
Luke Joeckel has had an horrendous start to his career. Sidelined with injury in 2013 five games in (and right after the Jacksonville Jaguars traded away stud left tackle Eugene Monroe to make room for him), Joeckel was forced to rehab up until the 2014 season. He was ready to go but he was underweight, weaker than needed, and his inability to transition successfully due to his injury created problems for him, the whole offensive line, and quarterback Blake Bortles.
Just four left tackles with at least 15 starts at the position finished below him in PFF’s grades of tackles. While the guy drafted first overall in 2013, Eric Fisher of the Kansas City Chiefs, was also graded worse than Joeckel, it’s clear he needs to improve. With eight sacks, seven hits, and 29 hurries credited to him by PFF, 2015 will is shaping up to be a year in which Joeckel simply has to be better or his job may in jeopardy. As the first pick by general manager Dave Caldwell, nobody wants that.
Fortunately, it’s looking like Joeckel is doing everything right in his first true offseason. He was playing below 300 pounds at times last season, but he’s back up to weight, he has a year of (rough) experience under his belt at left tackle, and he’s impressing the coaching staff.
At such a physical position, being in top physical form is key. He’s finally able to sculpt his body the way he and the Jaguars coaching staff wants. Expect Joeckel to come firing out of the gates in 2015. He’s going to feel better and more comfortable than he ever has before on the gridiron. We’re going to see a Luke Joeckel who can come out and manhandle the opposition, some of the finest athletes in the NFL, and finally do what is expected of him.
Next: Is the safety position finally stable?
Sep 22, 2013; Seattle, WA, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars safety Johnathan Cyprien (37) forces a fumble by Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) at CenturyLink Field. The Seahawks defeated the Jaguars 45-17. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
3) Johnathan Cyprien, SS
Johnathan Cyprien put together a solid end to his rookie campaign in 2013. The final six weeks of the season were particularly impressive for the young safety. So it was logical to expect a jump for him in 2014.
Instead, we witnessed a Cyprien who regressed in most every way. No sacks, no interceptions, and just three credited pass breakups made 2014 pretty miserable. His tackling numbers rose, but that may point more to the problem than anything else: Cyprien was simply trying to do too much.
Nobody was more happy than Cyprien to see the Jacksonville Jaguars bring in fellow safety Sergio Brown in free agency and then add to the core of defensive backs with Davon House at corner and fourth round draft pick James Sample. Sample and Brown figure to be the free safety competitors and will be much better than the mediocre guys along side Cyprien in recent years including major disappointments Josh Evans and Winston Guy.
Having more support in the secondary will free up Cyprien to focus on playing a true strong safety role and excelling at it. He hasn’t managed to capitalize on his potential in large part because of the dearth of talent on the Jaguars roster. As that talent continues to rise, so will Cyprien’s ability to make plays. The best safeties in the business rely on the other players to competently do their jobs and Cyprien may finally have a group of players around him who can do that.
It’s up to Cyprien to prove that was actually the problem. I think it was and fully expect to see him return to form in 2015.
Next: The most productive receiver must get better
Oct 26, 2014; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Allen Hurns (88) catches the ball prior to the game against the Miami Dolphins at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports
4) Allen Hurns, WR
A pleasant undrafted surprise, Allen Hurns exploded onto the scene in 2014. Starting in the preseason, Hurns was showcasing his physical, fighting approach to the wide receiver position against second-teamers before getting a shot at showing he can do it against NFL starters as well. His first game against the Philadelphia Eagles saw him put up 110 yards on four receptions with two touchdowns. He finished the year with 677 yards, 51 receptions, and six touchdowns. He was the most productive receiver for the Jaguars.
So why will Hurns be much improved in 2015?
The problem for Hurns is the opportunities he left on the table. He caught just 56% of the balls targeted at him. Of those targets he got his hands on, he managed to drop seven of them.
With an offseason of work the hope is that Hurns can prove he’s worth starting for 16 games. With injury concerns to Marqise Lee and Allen Robinson, Hurns must prove that he can cut into the time they may take off. He played in all 16 games last season and started eight. I expect to see the starts jump up, especially if he has been working on his catching this offseason. He’s primed for a breakout, but it’s up to him to prove it. Expect him to prove able.
Next: The QB will finally arrive in 2015
Nov 30, 2014; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) throws the ball prior to the game against the New York Giants at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
5) Blake Bortles, QB
Blake Bortles is doing everything in his power to improve as a quarterback. He’s working out with the best quarterback guru available, he’s leading the Jacksonville Jaguars, and he’s working to make sure his connections with guys like Allen Robinson and Julius Thomas are perfect. Bortles is turning this into his team. While there are still questions for him, we’re all expecting big things in his second season.
We’ve hammered how Bortles is improving throughout the offseason. There’s only so much that can be said about his dedication to getting better, but I feel compelled to mention it again and again. This is a quarterback committed to getting better for the Jaguars and proving that his rookie season was nothing more than growing pains.
It isn’t just his dedication to his craft that should get attention, though. Once again we have to look at the work GM Dave Caldwell has done. He’s put Bortles in a position to succeed, providing talent around him. From Thomas to Robinson and from new right tackle Jermey Parnell to running back T.J. Yeldon, Bortles now has better talent around him than many of the past quarterbacks for the team.
Being in a position to succeed in critical for young quarterbacks. Last season Bortles looked like the second coming of David Carr. For 2015, he’s going to show he’s one of the best up and coming young quarterbacks in the NFL. Book it. It’s happening.
Next: Will T.J. Yeldon make us forget DeMarco Murray?
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