Three young Jaguars who must step up in 2020
By David Levin
Jarrod Wilson
The Jaguars signed Jarrod Wilson to a contract extension right after the 2018 season. The front office then released Tashaun Gipson. The secondary looked different with Ronnie Harrison and Wilson as a starting safeties, but both played effectively at times last season. Harrison is a budding star. Wilson still needs to improve his game.
I know it’s not fair to assess a unit that took a major hit when the Jaguars traded Jalen Ramsey to the Rams. This coming season is one that Wilson must prove he is an every down starter and that he can handle playing at a higher level.
The Jaguars should be in the market for at least one defensive back in the NFL draft. Many sites have Clemson‘s Isaiah Simmons mocked to Jacksonville with a ninth pick. He can play either outside linebacker or slide back and play safety. Should that happen, it makes for a very interesting training camp. If Wilson can find more consistency, that helps the Jaguars even more, with Simmons moving up to play outside linebacker.
There are options for Jacksonville in free agency which they should take advantage of. The defense needs help at all three levels, which makes it important that existing veterans on the roster perform better this coming season. If not, they may not be part of the teams plan moving forward.