Jaguars: Lots of work to do based on ESPN.com rankings

Can the Jacksonville Jaguars erase the 2019 season and forge a new path with new hope in 2020?

The Jacksonville Jaguars are not the NFL’s worst team in the very early rankings released by ESPN.com after the Super Bowl Sunday night.

But the team from North Florida does have some work to do. The Jaguars come in 28th overall, which may not be in the basement, but it’s pretty darn close. After a 6-10 season that looked more like a soap opera at times than a football team, can Jacksonville turn things around and make a run like it did in 2017?

There is some reason for optimism.

“The Jaguars have two quarterbacks who have proved they can win games in the league. Nick Foles won a Super Bowl with Philadelphia and Gardner Minshew won more games (six) than any other rookie QB in 2019,” writes Michael DiRocco.

More from Jacksonville Jaguars News

• Jacksonville Jaguars unlikely to pursue Carson Wentz despite Doug Pederson connection
• Jaguars RB Travis Etienne expected to have bigger impact in 2023
• 5 bonafide stars from the Jacksonville Jaguars 2022 season
• Jacksonville Jaguars haven’t heard any Calvin Ridley news from the NFL
• WR Marvin Jones Jr. will give 110 percent with the Jacksonville Jaguars or wherever he plays in 2023

Minshew and Foles will battle for the starting job in camp. There is no real feel as to which player has the upper hand, but after seeing the play of both signal-callers, Minshew may have the edge. The Jaguars made the move to sign the veteran Foles after he decided to become a free agent last offseason. The fit seemed natural, but after he broke his clavicle in the first quarter of the first game of the season, things changed quickly.

“Foles struggled when coming back from a broken collarbone and got benched but has played well in long stretches before. Minshew could very well be the Jaguars’ QB of the future. Coach Doug Marrone will have to choose between the two — but that’s much better than trying to figure out ways to win games without having one reliable quarterback.”

Those aren’t the only reasons to get excited about this team for the 2020 season. DJ Chark played in the Pro Bowl, as did rookie defensive end Josh Allen. The running game was revitalized with Leonard Fournette’s 1,152 yards on the ground and 76 pass catches. Rookie right tackle Jawaan Taylor played every snap of all 16 games and should only get better.

The building blocks are in place, but the Jaguars need more of them to stabilize this roster.

In April, the Jaguars have two first-round picks and should be able to help solidify the offensive and defensive line. There are needs at tight end and at linebacker as well. Whoever wins the starting quarterback job, the roster they will work with could look significantly different as high-priced veterans could be jettisoned due to salary cap issues.