2 Jaguars make the cut on CBS Sports' list of top 100 players of 2024

Trevor Lawrence and Josh Allen are the two most important players on the Jacksonville Jaguars. Thus, it's not surprising that both of them appeared on Pete Prisco's top-100 list for the 2024 season.

Prisco, for CBS Sports, puts together an annual list of the top players in the NFL. Both Lawrence and Allen made the cut this year. The former popped up at No. 64 and the latter landed at No. 23. The Jags also had three honorable mentions: Running back Travis Etienne, tight end Evan Engram, and linebacker Foyesade Oluokun.

Regarding Lawrence, Prisco says that he's coming off an underwhelming season but believes he's in a position to bounce back and have an MVP-caliber season in 2024.

"His 2023 season was a disappointment for a lot of reasons, including injury. He threw 21 touchdown passes and 14 picks as he pressed at times. I think he bounces back -- with a hefty new contract -- and has an MVP-type of season that will vault him up this list"

It's also worth noting that Prisco placed Lawrence at No. 23 last year. On the other hand, he says that Allen proved in 2023 that he could be a game-wreaker, something he didn't think he was capable of.

"He had his breakout season with 17 1/2 sacks in 2023, earning him a big contract extension from the team. He is a relentless pass rusher, who is good against the run as well. He proved to many -- me included -- that he can be a game-wrecker."

Lawrence got off to a strong start in 2023 despite not having ideal protection. However, injuries eventually slowed him down and hindered his performance. While his interception totals went up, his seven lost fumbles are a bigger reason for concern.

Head coach Doug Pederson says that cutting down on turnovers, picks, or lost fumbles, will be the No. 1 thing Lawernce has to fix. So far, he's pleased with the growth he's seen (on and off the field) in the star quarterback but points out that it has to translate into wins.

Allen, for his part, isn't satisfied with setting a new franchise record for sacks in a season with 17.5. He says he now knows what works for him and wants to earn Defensive Player of the Year honors and win the Super Bowl next.

Trevor Lawrence and Josh Allen deserved to be on Pete Prisco's list

All things considered, Pete Prisco's list looks fine, at least when it comes to the Jaguars. After all, it's hard to include more players after failing to make the playoffs last year. Allen's spot in particular seems fair. He had played at an elite level at times but hadn't been nearly as consistent until 2024. Ranking him ahead of pass rushers such as Trey Hendrickson and Danielle Hunters was the right call.

When it comes to Lawrence, though, his place could be up for debate. On one hand, he didn't play as well as he did in 2022, the year he led Jacksonville to the postseason. On the other hand, it's a bit puzzling to see players such as tight end Mark Andrews and cornerback Charvarius Ward get ranked ahead of him. Both of them are playmakers but they're not as valuable for their respective teams as Lawrence is for the Jags.

In the end though, it's hard to disagree with Prisco. Had the Jaguars made the playoffs last year, they would've probably had more inclusions on his list. They didn't. On the bright side, they're in a position to bounce back in 2024. If they do, they should have more players make the cut.

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