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Jacksonville Jaguars: Offseason bold predictions before the NFL Draft

By David Levin

JACKSONVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 30: A Jacksonville Jaguars fan as seen during the game against the New York Jets on September 30, 2018 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 30: A Jacksonville Jaguars fan as seen during the game against the New York Jets on September 30, 2018 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MD – OCTOBER 11: Inside linebacker Chris Kirksey #58 of the Cleveland Browns gestures before the start of a game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on October 11, 2015, in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – OCTOBER 11: Inside linebacker Chris Kirksey #58 of the Cleveland Browns gestures before the start of a game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on October 11, 2015, in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

Linebacker Changes

Last season the Jaguars made wholesale changes at linebacker, hoping to find the right fit.
Defensive coordinator Todd Wash listened to Myles Jack and moved him inside to the middle, which was a disaster. Jack is a good athlete, but his size and speed are more suited outside on the strong side. When Jack was injured and went on the injured reserve list, Donald Payne moved into the role and proved he could play at a high level.

Look for that to continue, with some major changes. The Jaguars will make a big run at Joe Schobert and Christian Kirksey – both of them played in Cleveland last season.

"“The Jacksonville Jaguars were active on the free-agent linebacker market in 2019, signing veterans such as Jake Ryan, Najee Goode, Ramik Wilson, and D.J. Alexander before training camp begun,” writes John Shipley of SI.com. “One year later, the need for linebacker depth is just as paramount now as it was then.”"

Schobert and Kirksey add young, depth and experience to the unit. And with Jack and Payne, there is a solid group to build around with Quincy Williams still learning to play on the next level against bigger, faster and stronger players.

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