Why Jacksonville Jaguars fans should be excited for 2016

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3. The return of Dante Fowler, James Sample, and new rookie draft picks.

Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Dante Fowler, Jr (Florida) is selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars as the number three overall pick in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

Let’s go back to the offseason when a terrible terrible event occurred. Jacksonville Jaguars first round pick Dante Fowler Jr. tore his ACL in his first practice and it resulted in him missing the season. This was obviously a huge disappointment for Jaguars fans and it seemed like the team just couldn’t catch a break but there is a clear silver lining in this dilemma. Fowler will return next season with a fresh slate and year of experience with the Jaguars defensive playbook. If Fowler is what he is hyped up to be then he could make a huge difference in the Jaguars pass rush which has been a big problem for the team so far this year.

James Sample will also be returning to the Jaguars secondary next season. There is no indication whether he will take the free safety role from Sergio Brown or not but he will provide much needed depth to a secondary that has played pretty poorly this season. Sample got some much needed game experience this season before he was put on the season ending injury reserve list and he also will be more knowledgeable of the Jaguars defensive schemes in his second year.

Another thing that should excite Jaguars fans is that the team will be adding another first round draft pick in the offseason. A mock draft done by Walter Football has projected the Jaguars to select Florida State defensive back Jalen Ramsey with the seventh pick in the NFL draft which would be a big upgrade to the Jacksonville secondary. The good fellas over at Bleacher Report recently projected the Jaguars to take defensive back Mackensie Alexander from Clemson which would also be a solid move for the Jags.

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The way I look at it, the Jaguars will be receiving two first round picks at the start of the next season considering that Dante Fowler has yet to play in a game. Whether the Jaguars decide to select Jalen Ramsey (that would be awesome), Mackensie Alexander or another defensive playmaker, it’s safe to say the future is very bright in Jacksonville.

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