Jaguars desperatedly need breakout player at three key positions in 2025

The Jacksonville Jaguars had a long to-do list after finishing 4-13 last year. First, they hired Liam Coen and James Gladstone to oversee a rebuild. The duo then addressed immediate needs in free agency and later revamped several position groups in the NFL Draft.

After all the moves they've made the past few months, the Jags look in much better shape than they did at the end of 2024. That said, they'll also need a handful of returning players to step up.

With that in mind, here are three position groups where Jacksonville needs someone to break out in 2025.

The Jaguars need a breakout player at defensive tackle

Although the Jaguars didn't prioritize the pass rush early in the draft, they did use a sixth-round pick on Jalen McLeod and later signed Emmanuel Ogbah. The same can't be said about the defensive tackle position.

Sure, Maason Smith flashed late in 2024, but it's uncertain if he'll pick up where he left off. Similarly, Arik Armstead is switching back inside after mostly playing on the edge last season. The expectation is that he's going to play at the same level, and maybe he will. However, Jacksonville should've added insurance in case Smith doesn't keep progressing.

DaVon Hamilton is behind Smith and Armstead. A third-round pick in 2020, Ham progressively showed growth and even got a contract extension in 2023. But that same year, he suffered a non-football injury that forced him to miss time. Expected to bounce back last season, the former Ohio State Buckeye was instead underwhelming.

Of the bunch, Smith has the most potential. The decision not to make upgrades at defensive tackle this past offseason will look much better if he improves.

The Jaguars need a breakout player at safety

The Jaguars have plenty of options at safety, but there currently isn't one that stands out. They signed Eric Murray to a three-year deal worth $19 million in free agency. He'll most definitely bring stability at the position but is unspectacular.

Murray will probably be the Day 1 starter next to Darnell Savage, who was originally brought in to play in the slot but switched back to safety when Antonio Johnson struggled. Also in the mix is locker room leader Andrew Wingard, who's a key contributor on special teams but is better suited for a reserve role on defense.

Johnson was seen as a candidate to break out before he faltered last season. He will get a chance to earn a starting job once again but will need to fend off rookie Caleb Ransaw, who should make a strong push for a featured role as a rookie.

If neither Johnson nor Ransaw show out, the coaching staff will probably roll with the dependable but unimpressive duo of Savage and Murray.

The Jaguars need a breakout player at running back

Tank Bigsby showed notable improvement last year after an underwhelming rookie campaign. On the other hand, Travis Etienne dealt with injuries and is coming off a disappointing year. The duo could bounce back, but the Jags added reinforcements to their backfield in the draft.

After taking Bhayshul Tuten in Round 4, Jacksonville double-dipped at running back with LeQuint Allen with their last pick in the draft. The former excels at reaching the end zone, and the latter could carve a niche as a third-down specialist. Of course, they'll need to work on certain issues if they want to earn snaps, but both of them have enough talent to make you think that they could

There's a strong chance that the coaching staff will lean on a running back committee, but if Jacksonville truly wants to set the tone with its rushing attack, someone will need to separate himself from the rest.

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