Jacksonville Jaguars: 4 bold predictions ahead of the 2021 season

After years of bad draft hauls and questionable decision-making at the top, the Jacksonville Jaguars started a rebuild this offseason. They gave up head coach Doug Marrone the pink slip after winning just 12 games over the last three years. In his place, the Jags hired Urban Meyer, who is making his debut in the NFL. The organization also promoted Trent Baalke to general manager after firing Dave Caldwell last year.

It’s July and the Jaguars already look different from the team that went 1-15 last season. Meyer and Caldwell have done a good job of fortifying a roster that lacked depth and enough playmakers in 2020. Having the most cap space in the league surely helped, as so did having the top pick in 2021, which they used on quarterback Trevor Lawrence.

Now, it’s entirely possible that the Jaguars go from last to first in the AFC South but they should also manage expectations. After all, many things would have to go their way to finish the 2021 season with a winning record, let alone a playoff trip. This is a young squad and is unrealistic to expect them to go toe to toe with contenders such as the Los Angeles Rams and the Buffalo Bills right out of the gate.

On the other hand, anything can happen when it comes to the NFL, and the Jags could end giving everyone a pleasant surprise if Lawrence lives up to the hype and Meyer works his magic in Jacksonville. Here are four bold predictions for the Jaguars in 2021.