Three bold predictions for the Jaguars in 2019

The Jacksonville Jaguars could once again be one of the surprise teams in the NFL this coming season. Here are another three bold predictions for the team.

Here we go again. Another stab at predictions for the Jaguars 2019 season. Should these guesses come true, Jacksonville is in for a big season. The only way we will find out is when the Jaguars suit up and march onto the field.

There is plenty of expectations and the belief things will be better this season. I for one think 2018 was a combination of injuries and lack of a passing game that contributed the most to a disappointing record.

With new coaches on staff, a new quarterback under center and the possibility of continuing to strengthen the offense through the NFL Draft, this team’s record should be better.

It has to be. If you talk to key officials in the front office, namely Doug Marrone, David Caldwell, and Tom Coughlin there is a belief addition by subtraction has this team in the road to success.

Here are three bold predictions for the Jaguars upcoming season.

Prediction 1: Jalen Ramsey wins Defensive Player of the Year – The Jaguars have already announced they will pick up Jalen Ramsey’s fifth-year option. The move gives the team time to negotiate a long term deal.

The question Ramsey and the Jaguars must answer is what will it take to keep him in Jacksonville for the foreseeable future?

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Ramsey is one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. He wants to be paid like one of the best players in the league, period. Winning the Defensive Player of the Year award would go a long way toward the former first-round pick having leverage in finalizing his next big contract.

Ramsey told the media last season he only wanted to play for one team his entire career. I suspect this is going to be one of those seasons that people talk about for years to come.

Prediction 2: Dede Westbrook becomes an All-Pro – It’s hard to imagine just how good wide receiver Dede Westbrook could have been if the passing game was better and he was targeted more. The third-year player caught 66 balls for 717 yards and five touchdowns last season. With a new quarterback in place and a new offensive game plan, there’s no telling how good he will be.

The Jaguars will benefit from additional Chris Conley and the return of Marqise Lee. There’s a possibility this team could have three 1,000-yard wide receivers on the roster (another bold prediction?), but  Westbrook will have his best season as a Jaguar.

I’m thinking the former Oklahoma star will challenge Allen Robinson’s numbers from 2015 and exceeds them. Look for him to have somewhere around 90 catches and 1,500 yards with 10 touchdowns.

Prediction 3: Yannick Ngakoue leads the NFL in sacks – What is the one thing that would trump a Defensive Player of the Year award for Ramsey? What about Yannick Ngakoue leading the NFL in sacks?

It’s a possibility.

The fourth-year star is in the final year of his rookie deal. There is no fifth-year option for him since he was a third-round draft pick. There is no doubt the Jaguars want to keep him in Jacksonville.

While the team will have to pay Ramsey in two seasons, backing the Brinks Truck up to secure Ngakoue’s services should be priority No. 1 next offseason.

Look for Calais Campbell to renegotiate his contract to free up money for his tag team partner. If the former Maryland stand out leads the league in sacks, he will have many suitors on the open market next off-season. The Jaguars certainly do not want to get in a bidding war for him to stay put.