The Jacksonville Jaguars are ready to get into action after their BYE. They lost to the Houston Texans and will try to get back into the win column when they face the Indianapolis Colts in Week 8. Aside from that, the Jags will start a playoff push, but for that to happen, they'll need to fix some of the issues that have plagued them this season, including (but not limited to) questionable clock management, puzzling penalties, and suboptimal execution.
It would also help if a handful of players who have been either quiet or inconsistent can make a leap in the second half of the season. These five, in particular, need to step up after the bye.
5 Jaguars who need to make a leap after the bye
Ruke Orhorhoro, defensive tackle
When the Jaguars traded Maason Smith to the Atlanta Falcons in return for Ruke Orhorhoro, the expectation was that Orhorhoro was going to give the interior defensive line a boost. Thus far, it hasn't happened.
The 2024 second-round pick flashed potential last year despite the fact that he was playing out of position. While he hasn't been dreadful, he hasn't been great either, registering 11 total pressures and one sack. That's more than Arik Armstead's nine pressures but less than Dennis Gardeck's 12.
If Orhorhoro can make a leap and show his pass-rush skills against the Colts, maybe Jacksonville won't have to trade for help at defensive tackle.
Jalen Huskey, safety
The Jaguars used a third-round pick on Jalen Huskey in the 2026 draft because of his ballhawk skills. However, he's had trouble making the leap to the NFL. The former Maryland Terrapin has seemingly not done enough to earn playing time even though Jacksonville is dealing with injuries at safety.
Heck, Kaevon Merriweather, who began the season on the practice squad, has moved ahead of Husky on the depth chart. That's how underwhelming he's been thus far. Then again, he's a rookie, and players' readiness is always variable coming out of the draft.
Maybe Huskey can show progress in the second half of the season. That would be huge for a secondary that's in need of a big-play element.
Albert Regis, defensive tackle
Jalen Huskey isn't the only third-round pick on the team who's failed to make an impact in 2026. While nobody expected Albert Regis to turn into Aaron Donald 2.0, he's not done much of note this season, logging just 18 defensive snaps.
Sure, Regis dealt with an elbow injury, but that doesn't explain why he was a healthy scratch in Weeks 5 and 6. Simply put, the former Texas A&M Aggie needs to take a step after the bye.
Danny Striggow, defensive end
Danny Strigow turned heads in 2025 because he and B.J. Green II made the 53-man roster as undrafted rookies. Both of them flashed potential in their rookie campaign and were expected to make strides this season. Green did, but Striggow has been a non-factor, logging a measly two pressures on 88 defensive snaps.
Maybe Striggow, like most of the players on this list, will catch fire after the bye, but his play is part of the reason the Jaguars' pass rush has failed to get home.
Jaylon Jones, cornerback
The Jaguars signed Jaylon Jones early in October, but he's yet to make his debut for the Black & Teal because he's dealing with a hamstring injury. It may be the same injury he sustained with the Chicago Bears in the 2026 preseason finale that led to his release.
Jones can play special teams and could provide competition at corner once he's healthy. He could push Jarrian Jones and try to compete for playing time, but he needs to stay healthy.
As the saying goes, availability is the most important ability in the NFL. Thus far, Jaylon Jones has simply not been available for Jacksonville.
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