Jaguars need these 4 second-year players to step up in 2021

Every NFL team looks different from one season to the next. This is due to all the player movements free agency and the salary cap creates. However, the Jacksonville Jaguars have undergone a substantial makeover after winning just one game in 2020. They gave head coach Doug Marrone the pink slip and brought in Urban Meyer to take his place. Also, the Jags promoted Trent Baalke to general manager after moving on from David Caldwell, who held the position since 2013.

The team’s brass took advantage of the abundance of cap space it had at its disposal and added depth and a few playmakers in free agency. Later in the draft, the Jaguars found a franchise quarterback in Trevor Lawrence and other building blocks such as cornerback Tyson Campbell and running back Travis Etienne.

On the other hand, they need their second-year players to step up. Jacksonville’s 2020 draft class showed promise last season but injuries hit the team hard and their rookies were no exception.

Heading into the 2021 season, the Jaguars will need these four sophomores to step up.

4. Daniel Thomas, safety, Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars had two fifth-round picks in 2020 and they used one of them on safety Daniel Thomas. The Auburn product worked his way up the depth chart and ended up starting two games as a rookie. Nevertheless, an arm injury cut his season short after ten games.

This Jacksonville team signed Rayshawn Jenkins in free agency and drafted Andre Cisco. Moreover, Jarrod Wilson is still on the roster and will likely start at one safety spot. Thomas will likely be the team’s primary backup in the season opener but needs to be ready in case one of his teammates go down.