If you watch the Jacksonville Jaguars play in 2020, you will agree that not having enough difference-makers played a big role in their 1-15 record. Thus, it wasn’t surprising to see them revamp most position groups and fortify their roster this offseason.
Even though the Jags will rely on a few veterans such as linebacker Myles Jack and center Brandon Linder, they will need several young players to make an impact in the 2021 NFL season. These five have seen their stock go up in the preseason.
Jacksonville Jaguars player trending up No. 1 – DaVon Hamilton
It was easy to get frustrated watching the Jags play in 2020. Then again, there were a few bright spots, including then-rookie defensive tackle Davon Hamilton. The Ohio State product moved up the depth chart and made his first start in Week 6. He quickly became a key cog in the team’s defensive front.
For a span of five weeks, Hamilton was one of the Jaguars’ best defenders. Nevertheless, he sustained a knee injury in Week 11 that put an end to his rookie campaign. So far, he has shown no lingering effects from the lesion. But he was facing another hurdle.
Heading into training camp, it was uncertain if the 2020 third-round pick was going to be a good fit in defensive coordinator Joe Cullen’s scheme. Hamilton quickly showed no lingering effects from the injury he suffered last season and has instead thrived. He played a major role in limiting the Browns’ rushing attack to just 41 rushing yards in Week 1 of the preseason.
Jacksonville Jaguars player trending up No. 2 – Laquon Treadwell
Although the Jaguars had a pretty good wide receiver corps last year, they still added reinforcements this offseason. Heading into the 2021 regular season, it’s arguably their strongest and deepest positional group.
DJ Chark Jr. won’t likely play until Week 1 of the regular season but he will still be the Jags’ top receiver in 2021. Laviska Shenault Jr. and Marvin Jones Jr. will also get a significant amount of targets but Jacksonville’s talent at wide receiver extends beyond the starting lineup. Sophomore Collin Johnson should contribute after showing flashes last season and Jamal Agnew could see a bigger role as he grows more comfortable at wide receiver.
Veteran Phillip Dorsett, Tavon Austin, and Laquon Treadwell could all be competing for the last wide receiver spot. All of them have a good case to make the team and it’s difficult to pick just one but Treadwell could have the best shot of all of them to be part of the final 53-man roster.
The 2016 first-round pick has shown out in Jaguars’ training camp. It looks like he’s finally living up to his draft billing after being a non-factor with the Minnesota Vikings and the Atlanta Falcons. Austin had the better performance against the Browns in Week 1 of the preseason, hauling in four receptions for 52 yards and one touchdown but it’s too early to predict who will seize a roster spot. Treadwell still has a good chance and having a good game against the New Orleans Saints will increase his odds of making the cut.
Jacksonville Jaguars player trending up No. 3 – James Robinson
The Jaguars took Travis Etienne with the 25th overall pick in this year’s draft because they think he can give their offense a boost. However, second-year running back James Robinson is still on the roster and should still have a big workload after having an outstanding rookie campaign.
Robinson finished the 2020 season with 1,414 yards from scrimmage, the most by an undrafted rookie free agent. He should be even better in Year 2. In late July, the former Redbird was asked how his body was different from last year from a condition standpoint. He said he felt a lot faster, “I’m able to move a little more, I feel like I’ve gotten stronger, I’m trying slimming down a little bit, it feels good”. Based on his performance throughout training camp and the preseason, it’s hard to disagree.
Against the Browns, Robinson racked up just three carries for 13 yards but he definitely looked faster. Keep in mind that he only played seven snaps. At this point, there’s no good reason to give the sophomore more work before the regular season begins, so he may not get many touches in the Jaguars’ next two preseason games.
The Jaguars will feed Etienne the ball often in 2021 but make no mistake, Robinson will continue to be the Jags’ lead back. Even if the Jaguars have a running back committee, the Illinois State product should have no trouble posting his second 1,000-yard season. In fact, he could have an even better campaign in spite of the rookie’s presence.
Jacksonville Jaguars player trending up No. 4 – Andre Cisco
The Jaguars’ defense couldn’t stop opposing teams from throwing or running the ball last year and ranked near the bottom of most meaningful categories. After the 2020 season, it was clear that side of the ball needed upgrades. In particular, safety was one of the Jags’ most pressing needs, so they made it a point of emphasis to revamp the position.
The team’s brass signed Rayshawn Jenkins and Rudy Ford in free agency. The former will probably be in the starting lineup come Week 1 and the latter will most likely spend time on special teams and provide depth. The Jaguars weren’t done though and selected Andre Cisco in Round 3 of 2021’s draft.
After all the moves Jacksonville made in the offseason, the safety room looks in way better shape. In fact, there are several players that could compete for the starting spot opposite Jenkins. Veteran Jarrod Wilson could have a leg up because he’s made 28 starts over the last two years. However, Cisco won’t give up the job without a fight. Throughout training camp, he’s displayed the athleticism that helped him log 13 interceptions and 14 passes defensed in 24 games at the collegiate level.
Cisco is showing no lingering effects of the ACL injury he suffered in 2020 and is making a strong case to eventually earn a starting job. Against the Browns in Week 1 of the preseason, he posted a Pro Football Focus overall grade of 84.1 and was credited with four total tackles and one pass defensed. He should only get better moving forward.
Jacksonville Jaguars player trending up No. 5 – C.J. Henderson
These past couple of months have been hectic for second-year cornerback C.J. Henderson. The Florida product showed flashes in 2020 but a groin injury cut his rookie campaign short. Earlier this year, he underwent labrum surgery and looked poised to pick up where he left off last season. Alas, he was placed on the COVID-19/Reserve list at the end of July and missed a good fraction of training camp.
For a moment, things looked dire for Henderson, at least from the outside. Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reported that several NFL teams believed the 2020 first-round pick was available. However, assistant head coach Charlie Strong put an end to any potential trade talks, telling the local media the cornerback made the Jags a better team and that they wanted to help him succeed.
Henderson was activated from the COVID-19 list on August the sixth and quickly made up for the time he lost. He caught up with the team and he was soon back with the first-team defense. Against the Browns in Week 1 of the preseason, he showed he was still the talented player the Jaguars drafted ninth overall in last year’s selection meeting, posting a Pro Fooball Focus overall grade of 74.6 and logging two pass deflections.
Shaquill Griffin is the favorite to start at one cornerback spot in Week 1 of the regular season. If Henderson keeps playing the way he did versus Cleveland, he will line up opposite Griffin.