The Jaguars wannabe GM looks at team needs for 2019

What additions to the roster do the Jacksonville Jaguars still need before the start of the 2019 season?

The future is now for the current Jaguars management group. Free agency has added players and the draft is coming up in April. But the question still to be answered is, “What type of additions do the Jaguars need to be competitive in 2019?”

The Jaguars 2019 schedule is not a walk in the park. The team faces nine teams with winning records in 2018. Seven of these teams were in the playoffs. Not only that but our home games are against six winning teams and only two losing teams. This group includes the Kansas City Chiefs, New Orleans Saints, and Los Angeles Chargers. The Jaguars away games are against three winning teams and five losing teams. It is far more difficult to win an away game.

To add our AFC South Division has become very competitive. No doubt the team faces a big challenge.

The team has a good roster right now but the difficult schedule requires it to be even better and some adequate backups to guard against injury. Last year, the team drafted for the future. This year the team must draft for now.

So what do we need?

The first need is an adequate quarterback and team sources feel that Nick Foles fills the position well. Foles will need good blocking to succeed. Our 2017 offensive line returns from injury with several new faces. The team has four tight ends on the roster.  This general manager sees a decent blocking group that could really use some sizzle from the draft.  A new lineman and/or a tight end would be a huge plus.

The running back group currently consists of four players. This group has only one known commodity, Leonard Fournette. The Jaguars could use another running back. The wide receiver group has six members. If all goes well this is a very solid group with game experience and young enough to have a high upside. A new wide receiver would be nice but not as critical as other positions.

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The defense was great in 2017 and would have been great in 2018 with help from the offense. We know that our competition is very strong with quarterbacks such as a healthy Andrew Luck, Drew Brees, Patrick Mahomes, and Cam Newton.  We need a strong dominant defensive line.  The starters are good – Calais Campbell, Marcell Dareus, Yannick Ngakoue, and possibly Taven Bryan. The team must draft at least one other defensive lineman.

The linebackers and cornerbacks are adequate to start the season. The safeties have Ronnie Harrison as the only returning starter.  We need to draft another safety.

So here are the team needs: offensive lineman, tight end, running back, defensive lineman, and safety. These are the most critical needs. Other less critical needs include a backup quarterback, a wide receiver, a linebacker, and a cornerback.

It’s time to look at the draft and find some great players to add to the roster. This wannabe GM will be taking a long look at future prospects with the hope of picking solid prospects in the early rounds and diamonds in the rough in later rounds.