Key changes Jaguars must make to avoid going one-and-done in the playoffs

The Jacksonville Jaguars were one of the hottest teams entering the latest NFL playoffs, but got stopped in their tracks in a heartbreaking 27-24 loss to the Buffalo Bills.

While the eight-game winning streak to end the regular season was indubitably impressive, was it a flash in the pan? Sorry if that hurts to hear, Black and Teal faithful, but remember how rosy the outlook was in Jacksonville during the Doug Pederson era? Until it wasn't! In very abrupt fashion!

I'm inclined to say that with a 21st century-thinking GM in James Gladstone and a top-flight offensive play-caller in Liam Coen as head coach, the Jags are in great hands. Nevertheless, Jacksonville's new regime can't be naïve about their flaws entering Year 2.

Here's how the Jags can stay out in front in the AFC South and go even further next postseason.

Add pass rush insurance for Travon Walker & Arik Armstead

When the playoffs roll around, and you face high-quality quarterbacks, you need to apply pressure on money downs. Josh Hines-Allen got the Jags' lone sack on Bills QB Josh Allen on Wild Card Weekend, and accounted for two of the team's three hits on him.

For a 13-win team, it's quite stunning that the Jags piled up that many dubs for Duval County whilst having the sixth-fewest sacks in the league last season. Clearly they need some pocket disruptors in the trenches who can actually get home to the opposing quarterback.

In my latest mock draft, I proposed spending a second-round pick on Mizzou defensive end Zion Young. His off-field issues need to be vetted, but Young is a vicious edge-setter versus the run, and a plus pass rusher with upside still to explore.

Regarding Travon Walker and Arik Armstead, the former is playing on his fifth-year option and is coming off a down 2025 campaign production-wise with 3.5 sacks. Armstead turns 33 in November, so Jacksonville can't realistically count on him beyond this coming season.

Josh Hines-Allen would certainly welcome any help he can get, whether it's on the interior or on the edge opposite him. Jacksonville lacks the funds to spend big on the open market, so it'll likely take at least one high-impact rookie to make meaningful strides in that area.

Among other prospects to watch out for, Michigan's Derrick Moore stands out. The 6'3", 260-pounder had 10 sacks and a 92.4 PFF pass rush grade in 2025. Dude is a menace.

Improve boundary CB depth to complement Travis Hunter

Although I'm personally bullish on Travis Hunter moving to cornerback as his full-time position rather than wide receiver, the jury is still out on how that'll go.

Another polarizing CB-centric move Gladstone made this past year was trading Tyson Campbell to Cleveland for Greg Newsome II. Quite the downgrade for the Jags, and an avoidable one at that if you ask me. Could've kept Campbell in the fold with a little more salary cap ingenuity.

Lots of business happening between the Jags and Browns. Possibly more to come. But let's stick with the topic at hand. Newsome is hitting free agency, as is Montaric Brown.

Jacksonville is pretty well-stocked for nickelback options between Jarrian Jones, Jourdan Lewis, and possibly even Caleb Ransaw. The team desperately needs a perimeter corner opposite Hunter.

The third round of the draft is where the Jags could really nail this need. They have three picks to work with. perhaps they package a couple of those to move up into Round 2 for someone like San Diego State's Chris Johnson, Arizona State's Keith Abney II, or Tennessee's Colton Hood.

As for the Round 3 options, keep an eye on Devin Moore (Florida), Devon Marshall (NC State), Julian Neal (Arkansas), and Charles Demmings (Stephen F. Austin).

Thanks to some of his boneheaded plays during the Seattle Seahawks' Super Bowl run, Riq Woolen may be just the type of freak athlete Gladstone targets in free agency.

Woolen (at about $8.2 million per year, per Spotrac's valuation) could be just inside the Jags' price range. That is, if Woolen doesn't cost way more than that (I wager he will). And this presumes Jacksonville goes HARD on contract restructures, trades Walker Little, and retains All-Pro linebacker Devin Lloyd.

Whether it's a rookie who's ready to rock as a solid CB2 opposite a should-be elite Hunter, or another transcendent ex-wideout like Woolen opposite him, the Jags could make life difficult on everyone next season with the right pickup here. *And* help their pass rush in the process.

Make Trevor Lawrence’s improved proficiency the main objective

Just by virtue of being in his second season of Coen's offense, Jags QB Trevor Lawrence should see a big uptick in his overall on-field execution. However, Coen, the coaching staff, and Lawrence's supporting cast could help him a lot more than they did at times in 2025.

Only Lamar Jackson (9.7) averaged more air yards per target than Lawrence did at 9.5. Big Trev also saw his passes dropped at an NFL-worst 10.3% clip. He had a league-high 18 passes batted down.

Some of Lawrence's lengthy 2.90-second average time to throw can be attributed to his dual-threat playmaking ability. Some of it is the nature of the scheme and Lawrence's big-play hunting.

With improved hands from Jags pass-catchers and a little more quick-game concept deployment, Lawrence should see his 60.9% completion rate from last year go way up in 2026. In the loss to the Bills, he completed only 18 of 30 passes and threw two interceptions.

Any which way the Jags get there, Lawrence's proficiency should indeed be the top offseason priority. His three career playoff starts consist of eight TDs passes, seven INTs, and a bad 75.8 passer rating. That ain't gonna get it done. Unless Jacksonville is content to go, well, one-and-done again.

The silver lining? Lawrence sure was trending in the right direction heading into the playoffs. Imagine what he might do with improved reinforcements and more familiarity with Coen...