Who is the Jacksonville Jaguars Biggest Offseason Addition?
By David Levin
The Jacksonville Jaguars made another splash in free agency and the NFL Draft this offseason by adding quality starters at positions of need and depth at positions that will need young talent to replace aging veterans. Judging by the way general manager David Caldwell has been pushing the right buttons the past three seasons, this crop of new players could help the Jaguars reach the Super Bowl in 2018.
If you read George Stockburger’s piece on NFL Mocks, he lists the biggest offseason addition for each NFL team. The piece is brilliant in assessing what each franchise did to get better this offseason. Like other teams that made improvements, the Jacksonville Jaguars were no different. Who Stockburger picked for the black and teal, Taven Bryan. will certainly have an impact on the season, but is he the biggest addition to this franchise?
Bryan is in the running, but there are others who could be considered bigger additions than the rookie out of Florida.
Bryan is a nice addition to a loaded defensive line. His ability to play inside at tackle and outside as an end will pay dividends his rookie season.
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"“Taven Bryan represents a number of benefits for the Jacksonville Jaguars,” Stockburger writes. “Not only does his vast athletic potential as a defensive tackle help an already good defense get better, but he also gives them long-term flexibility.”"
Bryan’s biggest asset long-term could be replacing veterans who may not be part of this team next season. Stockburger touched on that as well.
"“The Jaguars are going to have major salary cap issues in 2019. Odds are they’ll have to cut some of their high-priced defenders to create space, including someone like Malik Jackson,” he added."
I like the move to build for the future, but I believe there are other players who will have a bigger role with this team in 2018.
Based on need, Andrew Norwell, who signed with the team during free agency, fills the biggest hole on this roster at left tackle. Norwell, an All-Pro who played with the Carolina Panthers last year, could be the best guard in the NFL. Of course, there is debate over that. But his addition gives the Jaguars offensive line, ranked 15th overall by Pro Football Focus, another huge body to help the running game.
If the Jaguars are to improve the passing game (ranked 17th in the NFL last season), both Austin Seferian-Jenkins and Donte Moncrief must be used effectively.
I love Seferian-Jenkins in the passing game from what I have seen. He’s a big target, that will certainly be used in the red zone and across the middle on third downs. The tight end has been MIA in Jacksonville for some time. Despite Marcedes Lewis leading the team with five touchdowns last season, he only caught 24 passes.
Moncrief could emerge from training camp as the team’s No. 1 wide receiver, passing Marqise Lee on the depth chart. His speed and size are perfect for this system. At the least, he is the second option for quarterback Blake Bortles and should stay ahead of rookie DJ Chark on the depth chart.
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Moncrief needs to show more consistency in the passing game, something he lacked in Indianapolis, to be a go-to receiver in this offense.