5 Jaguars whose stock is plummeting after discouraging loss to Broncos

The Jacksonville Jaguars would have loved to leave Empower Field with their second win of the 2026 season. However, they ultimately couldn't finish the job even though they had a realistic chance of coming out on top and even had a lead at one point in the game.

But as head coach Liam Coen noted in the aftermath of the 20-13 loss, the Jags weren't in sync in the second half of the game. In fact, that might have been the main reason they lost, and it stemmed from the players' inability to come through after halftime. Drops, failed tackles, and blown coverages all played a role in the loss.

Heck, you could make the case that Coen should have called a different game, and maybe Jacksonville would have won. But it wouldn't have mattered because his players didn't make plays in the end. Speaking of which, here are five Jaguars who are watching their stock plummet after Week 2 because they failed to deliver with the game on the line.

5 Jaguars who watched their stock plummet vs. the Broncos in Week 2

Trevor Lawrence, quarterback

After an impressive 2025, Trevor Lawrence got off to a strong start this season, going 18-of-23 for 245 yards with four touchdowns and no picks against the Cleveland Browns in the opener. However, he wasn't able to build off his encouraging Week 1 showing and instead struggled against the Browns.

Sure, the offensive line didn't give No. 16 enough time to throw, and his receiver didn't help matters. That said, he also committed a handful of painful mistakes, including his puzzling interception late in the game.

Lawrence should bounce back and is still one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. That said, he had a bad outing in Week 2, and there's no way to sugarcoat it.

Montaric Brown, cornerback

The Broncos traded for Jayden Waddle in the offseason to bolster their passing game, but the decision didn't pay off in Week 1, as he only had one catch for two yards against the Kansas City Chiefs. The expectation was that the Jaguars were going to contain him, given that they had the personnel to pull it off. However, that wasn't the case. Quite the contrary.

Waddle broke out in Week 2, reeling in eight receptions for 138 yards, and more often than not, Montaric Brown was covering him. All in all, the former Arkansas Razorback gave up five receptions on six targets for 81 yards. That's simply too much for a player who signed a three-year deal worth $31.5 million in the offseason.

Josh Hines-Allen, defensive end

Teams need their best players to deliver in the clutch. And in a game as close as the loss to the Broncos, Jacksonville needed Josh Hines-Allen to wreak havoc at the line of scrimmage. But he didn't and instead was held to a measly one pressure on 53 defensive snaps.

That's definitely not the kind of production you expect from a player who wants to lead the league in sacks and win Defensive Player of the Year. Sure, Hines-Allen didn't get much help from the rest of the defensive line, but he didn't make the kind of game-changing plays that the best pass rushers in the league make week in and week out.

Brian Thomas Jr., wide receiver

Here's another player who came crashing down when the Jaguars needed him. But unlike teammate Josh Hines-Allen, Brian Thomas Jr. had clear opportunities to make an impact. He just didn't take them.

Thomas had an alarming three drops throughout the game, and all of them came at crucial times. Had he risen to the occasion, the outcome of the game might have been different. Now, there will once again be chatter about his drops and how he's afraid to be hit.

Travis Hunter, cornerback

Travis Hunter gave up a key completion to tight end Evan Engram in a game-defining drive and was later flagged for pass interference just a few plays later. The Broncos proceeded to score and make it 20-13.

On the other hand, the coaching staff made the head-scratching decision to rotate Hunter throughout the game. If he's truly the team's best corner, why pull him? The Jaguars need to find ways to get the most out of the former Heisman Trophy winner moving forward. If that means giving him more time at receiver at the expense of Brian Thomas Jr., so be it.

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