3 Jaguars' whose stock is soaring after close win over Cardinals

The Jacksonville Jaguars (7-4) did just enough to win against a determined yet struggling Arizona Cardinals (3-8). It was an ugly game defined by grit, resilience, and a determination to win. In the end, players made plays, and it's a result of this physicality that the Jaguars are now 5-3 in one-score games while the Cardinals have lost six straight in games decided by a touchdown or less.

With this in mind, here are three Jaguars whose play elevated the team just enough to squeak out a win in Arizona and whose stock continues to rise as the season goes on.

Brenton Strange, Jaguars tight end

Count me among the disappointed fans when tight end Evan Engram was released in the offseason. I had hopes for Brenton Strange, but I was a fan of Engram and wanted to see him in black and teal for a few more years. I thought it was a mistake to release a go-to receiver for quarterback Trevor Lawrence.

I was wrong. So wrong. Before his Week 5 injury, Strange had 204 receiving yards through five games. He was beginning to stand out as a go-to, reliable pair of hands for Lawrence. On his first game back from IR, he caught five balls on five targets for 93 yards—his best game to date. The Jaguars' offense sorely missed Strange while he was out, and No. 85 made sure to remind everyone why general manager James Gladstone was willing to part ways with Engram.

Parker Washington, Jaguars wide receiver

Jaguars fourth-string wide receiver Parker Washington has been thrust into a starting role due to injuries and poor performances by starters Brian Thomas Jr. and Dyami Brown. Like Strange, he's proven to be a reliable target, and he brought in five catches on seven targets Sunday against the Cardinals, racking up 71 yards and a crucial touchdown.

Add in his 43-yard punt return, and it's easy to see why fans should be excited about the Jaguars' receiving room despite Thomas's struggles and rookie Travis Hunter's season-ending injury.

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Devin Lloyd, Jaguars linebacker

The Jaguars are going to have a problem on their hands come this offseason. Linebacker Devin Lloyd—in the fifth and final year of his contract—is playing the best football of his career. He's already snagged four interceptions, one of which he returned 99 yards for a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs.

This Sunday against the Cardinals, he added 1.5 sacks, two tackles for a loss, and five quarterback hits. He's aggressive, physical, and hits hard, the perfect player for defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile's scheme.

He's certainly earned a new contract, though it remains to be seen what Gladstone will do, either as the season ends or the offseason begins.

Final thoughts

The Jaguars still have a lot of football ahead of them, but if these players—among other rising stars—continue to surge, then fans should have high hopes for the rest of the season.