Winning is a collective effort and no single player or coach is responsable for a team’s success or failure. For proof, look no further than the Jacksonville Jaguars, who managed to make the playoffs and win the AFC South just one year after the Urban Meyer fiasco.
While general manager Trent Baalke and head coach Doug Pederson played a huge role in turning things around last year, they wouldn’t have done it without a talented core of player, including these five, which became bonafide stars.
Just missed the cut: Christian Kirk, Zay Jones, Brandon Scherff, Riley Patterson
5. Jacksonville Jaguars bonafide star in 2022: Rayshawn Jenkins, S
Safety Rayshawn Jenkins had a tumultuous 2021 season but really put his game together and made huge plays when it mattered most last year. The dedication he showed to learning, and growing in 2022 was unmatched.
Jenkins set career highs in both tackles and interceptions this past season and was second on the team in tackles. His performance in Week 15 against the Dallas Cowboys was the stuff of legend. He logged 18 tackles and two interceptions against Dak Prescott including the interception return that won the game for the Jaguars.
For a moment, it looked like Prescott was going to march down the field to put the Cowboys on top, but Jenkins delivered.
MADNESS IN JACKSONVILLE. WALKOFF PICK-6 FOR THE @JAGUARS. #DALvsJAX pic.twitter.com/ZQrhOLRuIW
— NFL (@NFL) December 18, 2022
After the 2021 season, many of talking head (guilty as charged) had written him off but the hard work and dedication during the offseason more than paid off in his game. The player known as Jenkz was definitely an invaluable part of the Jaguars defense in 2022 and figures.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars bonafide star from 2022: Foyesade Oluokun, LB
Linebacker Foyesade Oluokun was another free agency addition during the offseason last year that got a big contract after leading the league in tackles in 2021 as a member of the Atlanta Falcons. He certainly did not disappoint in Jacksonville, repeating as the league leader in tackles in his first year for the Jaguars and making countless big plays all season long.
Oluokun’s relentless play style and “never give up on a play” attitude kept the Jags in more games than they deserved to be in even during the losing streak. The Yale product had double digit tackles in nine out of 17 games on the season with his biggest single-game total being 18 in the Jags’ thrilling come from behind victory against Baltimore.
This was another huge game that helped guide the Jaguars into the playoffs. Throughout he’s tenure in Jacksonville, he’s proven to be a team player and recently restructure his contract in an effort to help the Jaguars make some needed moves/signings in order to continue improving and contending moving forward.
His signing last offseason may not have been one of the signings that had everyone jumping up and down. That being said, he showed out week in and week out to make a huge impact for the Jacksonville defense and this was an easy pick for one of the best players on the team this past season. He should be a big impact player for years to come and a welcome addition to a team that is trying to make the playoffs and win the division for the second straight year.
No. 3 Jacksonville Jaguars bonafide star from 2022: Evan Engram, TE
Tight end Evan Engram joined the Jaguars a one-year, prove-it deal last offseason. The hopes were high for him, though he has not had the easiest time with injuries and not much of a passing game during his time in New York.
Engram got off to a slow start in 2022, with Christian Kirk and Zay Jones being Trevor Lawrence’s primary targets. But after a 2-6 start, he really turned it up and became the go-to target for Lawrence, showcasing his skills when the Jaguars needed him the most and helping Jacksonville win some crucial games during the playoff push that ensued.
Looking back, Engram’s biggest game by far was a big tilt against the Tennessee Titans in Week 14, when he caught 11 passes for 162 yards and two touchdowns.
This was a huge coming out party for him and a big step towards the postseason for Jacksonville. A huge step for the Jaguars would be to ensure they bring him back in 2023 and beyond to continue to help this team out.
Engram has previously stated that he would like to return to Jacksonville and said not long ago on SiriusXM NFL Radio that there’s mutual interest in getting a deal done. More recently, the Jaguars’ brass said that that whether they give him an extension or use the franchise tag, he isn’t going anywhere in 2023.
With the production we all saw from this season it is imperative that they do what is necessary in order to bring him back to the team. The Jags can use the consistency and the playmaking he brings to the table.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars bonafide star in 2022: Travis Etienne, RB
Running back Travis Etienne burst on the scene this year after missing his entire rookie season with a Lisfranc injury he suffered in the preseason. He provided so much to the team that the team’s brass was comfortable trading James Robinson to the New Jets midseason.
The former Clemson Tiger lead the Jags in rushing yards in his first full year with 1,125.
Eitenne did lose three fumbles, some of which were very costly, last season but in time, as he gets more comfortable in the offense, there is no doubt that he will be a superstar in the league.
Etienne’s ability to grind between the tackles along with his pass-catching skills and big play ability is an amazing thing to watch and potentially a sign of the future for all Jaguars fans to behold for years to come.
Following an ugly loss to the Denver Broncos in Week 8, it looked like the Jaguars’ season was nearing its end. However, a switch flipped on after that game for the team as a whole and while the majority of the glory goes to Lawrence for the turnaround, which is certainly not unfounded, Etienne, tight end Evan Engram and the whole defense deserve a lot of credit as well.
Once the Jags made the playoffs, they certainly weren’t finished either, they started the wildcard playoff game down 27-0 to the Los Angeles Chargers only to storm back and win that game 31-30 in the third largest comeback in NFL Playoff history. Once again, Lawrence and Etienne were front and center in this comeback.
Etienne made countless big plays for the Jaguars throughout the 2022 season and like another Clemson product – Trevor Lawrence – the future looks bright for them and the Jaguars moving forward.
No. 1 Jacksonville Jaguars bonafide star from 2022: Trevor Lawrence, QB
We all know the story of Trevor Lawrence and all the success he had his entire career dating back to high school. All he did was win at every level he has competed at in his life. Conversely, the struggles he has had to endure in his rookie season are equally known.
When you are first overall pick in the draft, the bottom line is, the club seleting you is not very good. Any team drafting at No. 1 undoubtedly has a plethora of holes to fill to make the team competitive, and the Jaguars were no different after the 2020 season.
Lawrence’s first year in the NFL was one to forget. There were plenty of pass plays where the rush got to him before he was able to set his foot. To make matters worse, he didn’t have a great supporting cast. Things changed considerably last offseason though. Exit Laviska Shenault, Jr. and DJChark Jr. and in comes Zay Jones and Christian Kirk along with Evan Engram at tight end, Brandon Scherff on the offensive line and of course Doug Pederson as the head coach.
The Jaguars started 2-1 out of the gate and looking pretty solid before dropping five in a row, the last being to a bad Denver Broncos team in London. Following the beatdown, Lawrence acknowledged Jacksonville should’ve won that game.
From that point on, Lawrence looked outstanding taking control of the offense and the team’s fate. Everyone knows what happened next. The Jaguars went 7-2 the rest of the way, en route to winning the AFC South Division.
Even in the one playoff victory against the Los Angeles Chargers, where he threw a whopping four first half interceptions, Lawrence remained calm. He knew they were not out of the game by a long stretch and just kept rallying his team back to get the eventual win 31-30. It was an amazing performance that saw the young passer go from the lowest of low’s to the highest of high’s.
As everyone gets ready for Year 3 of the former Clemson Tiger, here’s something to think about: With 7,754 yards passing through two seasons, he is 4,246 yards from becoming only the fourth quarterback in NFL history to throw for 12,000 yards in their first three years in the NFL. The future is bright in Jacksonville and Lawrence is no small part of why that is. The “generational talent” label he received coming out of college is starting to look more every day to be the case.