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Jacksonville Jaguars: 3 Reasons for optimism in 2020

By David Levin

MIAMI, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 23: Leonard Fournette #27 of the Jacksonville Jaguars carries the ball against the Miami Dolphins in the second half at Hard Rock Stadium on December 23, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 23: Leonard Fournette #27 of the Jacksonville Jaguars carries the ball against the Miami Dolphins in the second half at Hard Rock Stadium on December 23, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 27: Sam Darnold #14 of the New York Jets is sacked by Josh Allen #41 of the Jacksonville Jaguars during the game at TIAA Bank Field on October 27, 2019 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 27: Sam Darnold #14 of the New York Jets is sacked by Josh Allen #41 of the Jacksonville Jaguars during the game at TIAA Bank Field on October 27, 2019 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /

Cornerstone Pieces

The Jaguars have added Leonard Fournette, DJ Chark, Josh Allen and Jawaan Taylor in recent years to the roster. These cornerstone players should help the team get past their losing ways sooner rather than later.

The organization also hopes it found its franchise quarterback of the future in Gardner Minshew. It may take one more year to see if this is true. The Jaguars need to find more defensive pieces to build around and hope the scheme defensive coordinator Todd Wash implements is better this season than in 2019.

Jacksonville’s problem isn’t just the front office, although I believe it will be better in 2020. It’s getting players to buy into the system. Trading Ramsey to the Rams hurt the team in terms of talent. But having a malcontent in the locker room also did damage to the brotherhood of the roster.

With Marcell Dareus and A.J. Bouye off the roster, there are other issues or holes to fill which must be addressed immediately. Ronnie Harrison must become the leader of the secondary. Allen must take on more leadership at such an early age.

Fournette returned to Jacksonville after a 2018 season of turmoil and was one of the unquestioned leaders of the locker room and on the field. For a player who looked to have run himself out of the city, he has shown a maturity that is needed for a transition like this.

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