Jacksonville Jaguars: 3 glaring weaknesses heading to training camp

The Jacksonville Jaguars made changes this offseason to help the team’s roster. Were they enough to help the team win in 2020?

The Jacksonville Jaguars spent the offseason like every other NFL team, assessing which areas of the roster needed the most attention. The front office then worked to bring in players to step in and start and provide depth in those areas that should be improved over the 2020 season.

Whether general manager David Caldwell and head coach Doug Marrone did enough to solve these areas won’t be known until players are on the field implementing what they have been taught through virtual communication.

And as well know, while the safety of the players is still a concern for everyone associated with the NFL, Jaguars players and coaches are still anxious to finally get on the field and toss the football around.

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There is still a very real fear of the COVID-19 pandemic cutting into the NFL’s 17-week season.

Looking at the Jacksonville Jaguars roster, as it was also discussed in my last article on whether or not the defense looks better right now than it did last season, there are still areas of concern the coaching staff must pay attention to. But, looking at the players added and the athleticism should be better in 2020, the Jaguars may have helped their cause, but it might take some time for all the newness within the building to mesh.

Here are three areas the Jacksonville Jaguars should still be concerned with heading into training camp at the end of the month.

Backup Quarterback

The Jacksonville Jaguars feel pretty good about their starting quarterback situation with Gardner Minshew under center. But what happens if he goes down with an injury? Are we convinced Joshua Dobbs or Mike Glennon will fill Minshew’s shoes and lead this team to a playoff berth?

I know there is plenty of discussion about Colin Kaepernick coming to Jacksonville. I’ve voiced my opinion about it last week. I could see a situation if an injury were to happen the Jaguars may reach out to gauge interest.

The funny thing about this conversation is it was one many local media members had last season when Minshew looked overwhelmed in the preseason at times and there wasn’t a proven arm behind Nick Foles. The coaching staff is banking on an injury-free season out of their leader and a full resume to prove he is the future of this organization.

If he does go down at any time in 2020, the Jaguars season is over for sure.

Interior Defensive Line

It’s a concern despite the additions the Jaguars made this offseason because it was so horrible last year. What happens with the rotation at defensive tackle and can the additions of Al Woods, Rodney Gunter, and rookie DaVon Hamilton really make this area better?

The Jacksonville Jaguars also have Abry Jones, Taven Bryan, and Dontavius Russell returning from last season to help seal the middle so the opposition cannot run wild like it did last season.

Bryan is the player the coaching staff wants to finally put together a solid season, mainly to prove he was worth a first-round draft pick. Jones must rebound from a subpar season and Hamilton, who played ball at Ohio State, must adapt to the NFL quickly. It’s a lot to ask of these three players.

I’m curious to see what happens when defensive coordinator Todd Wash changes things a bit and uses 3-4 packages. Which player will dominate on the nose and can this unit stop the run in 2020?

Tight End

The Jaguars added Tyler Eifert in the offseason, but there are still lingering doubts about this position, which was riddled with injuries the past two seasons.

If there was a player on the roster who might have needed time in minicamp, it could be Josh Oliver, who was injured almost all of last season. The only way the San Jose State star is going to improve and adjust to the NFL is if he catches footballs in simulated situations.

James O’Shaughnessy vows to be ready for Week 1 of the NFL season. He was enjoying a fine season until he hurt his knee in Week 5 last year.

Even with the addition of Eifert, who has a history of injuries in his career, there has been some talk of the Jaguars might make a run at Cleveland tight end David Njoku, who has formally asked to be traded. I don’t see it happening given there are many bodies already in the tight end room.

Getting 50 catches from Eifert or anyone on the roster this season would be a great thing for the Jacksonville Jaguars.