Jacksonville Jaguars: Priority now is surrounding Blake Bortles with offensive talent

With Blake Bortles confirmed behind center for 2018, the Jacksonville Jaguars now must shore up holes on the offense.

The most pressing issue for the Jacksonville Jaguars in the offseason was what the team would decide to do with Blake Bortles. That question was answered when the Jaguars announced a three-year, $54 million contract extension for the quarterback.

With the extension, Bortles has been locked in as the starter for next season, and now the focus for the team shifts to the talent that will surround the QB on offense in 2018.

It’s certainly not that the offense was bad, but there are positions that must be improved heading into the season. Let’s take a look at moves the Jaguars need to make to give Bortles the best supporting cast possible:

1. Sign/Tag Allen Robinson

With Bortles signed, this has leaped to the forefront of importance for Jacksonville. Allen Robinson is set to become a free agent, but the Jaguars must do what it takes to keep Robinson with the team. The receiver is coming off a knee injury, but is progressing positively, and still has the skills of a number one wideout.

Robinson coming back will occur in one of two ways: being placed with the franchise tag, or inking a new deal with Jacksonville. Regardless of which the team decides, Robinson is a must keep.

2. Sign/Draft offensive linemen

The Jaguars need to beef up the offense line. It wasn’t that Bortles was pressured excessively last season, but power and push is needed in the all-important run game, specifically inside at the guard positions.

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Jacksonville should try to sign a veteran or two in free agency, and then turn to the draft as well to reinforce the inside of the line.

3. Sign/Draft tight end

The Jaguars picked-up the contract option on Marcedes Lewis, and while Lewis is a valued blocker and red zone target, the team severely lacks a vertical threat at the position.

Tight end is a strong market this season in free agency, so options are there for Jacksonville. The team could make a splash on a guy like Trey Burton, who is quickly rising after his Super Bowl win with the Eagles, or go after another intriguing prospect like Cameron Brate.

The position is also deep in the draft. The Jaguars will still need to use an early round pick on a quarterback, but expect a tight end also taken in the first few rounds if the team doesn’t sign one ahead of time.

A pass-catching tight end is a major attribute for a QB, and one is desperately needed in Jacksonville.

4. Draft a wide receiver

It’s no secret that Bortles did not have the best receiving corp to throw to in 2017. Marqise Lee is set to be a free agent and potentially will not return, and Allen Hurns could end up a notable cut. Outside of those two, Jacksonville relied on two rookies to step up, Keelan Cole and Dede Westbrook

Even with Allen Robinson, the Jaguars would still need to improve the wideout group. It’s not quite as crucial as offensive line or tight end, pending the return of Robinson, but the Jaguars should look to the mid-rounds of the draft to bring in a guy to fill out the group.

Blake Bortles is back, and giving him the max potential of surrounding talent is now of the upmost importance for the Jacksonville Jaguars.