The Jacksonville Jaguars are finishing the 2023 season on a strong note. After beating the Carolina Panthers in Week 17, they're 9-7, ensuring back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 2004-2005. That said, they have yet to clinch a playoff seed and it's fair to wonder how much better they would've been if they had made more changes in the offseason.
In particular, the Jags failed to bolster their interior offensive line and their pass rush rotation. They'll need to wait until the offseason to address both needs, but they should be at the top of their to-do list. Also, they need to move on from a pair of players and a coach to ensure they don't experience another rough stretch in 2024.
3. Luke Fortner, center
The Jaguars expected Luke Fortner to make a leap in Year 2 but he's fallen short. A third-round pick in last year's draft, he was a Week 1 starter and was the team's sole player to play every single snap on offense. Besides being durable, Fortner flashed in pass protection but he struggled in the running game.
While some players need time to hit their stride, Fortner has left much to be desired. Instead of improving in his sophomore campaign, he's regressed and he's currently the Jags' weakest link in the trenches. This season, the former Kentucky Wildcat has given up four sacks and 27 total pressures. On top of that, he has a 40.8 Pro Football Focus run-blocking grade.
Granted, PFF grades aren't the only way to measure a player's success but it's concerning that he's 33rd among centers with a 87.2 percent pass block win rate. Simply, the Jags cannot afford to keep him around in hopes he'll get better. Based on how he's played, he needs to at least compete for the starting job in 2024.
However, it would be much better if the Jaguars went after a proven commodity in free agency. Andre James would be an affordable option but Aaron Brewer and Lloyd Cushenberry III would be upgrades over Fortner as well.
2. K'Lavon Chaisson, edge rusher
The Jaguars have a formidable pass-rushing tandem in Josh Allen and Travon Walker. The former broke Calais Campbell's sack record of 14.5 and set the bar at 16.5 after taking Bryce Young down three times in Week 17. On the other hand, Walker has shown tremendous growth after a relatively quiet rookie campaign, registering nine sacks in 2023.
The duo has a combined 25.5 sacks between the two entering the season finale, so there's a chance they'll add to the tally.
41 and 44 have combined for 25.5 sacks, the most among any duo in the NFL 😤#DUUUVAL pic.twitter.com/i1R46ty8nw
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) January 2, 2024
Having said that, the Jaguars could have been even better had they brought someone else to round out their rotation. They had no shortage of options, with Danielle Hunter, Jadeveon Clowney, and Calais Campbell himself as some of the players they could've landed in the offseason.
Hunter, Brian Burns, and Josh Uche are set to become free agents, so the Jaguars will have options. If they prefer the draft route, they could then target Chop Robinson or Dallas Turner in the first round. Either way, they wouldn't need to upgrade their pass rush if K'Lavon Chaisson had become the player they envisioned.
Chaisson, a first-round pick in the 2020 draft, hasn't done much of note during his four-year stint in Jacksonville. He was pressed into action too soon as a rookie, which in turn stunned his development. The frequent turnover the Jaguars had from 2020-2022 didn't help matters, but the player known as Swiper has had enough time to come through and he's fallen short.
At this point of his career, Chaisson has proven he's not more than a depth player. He's carved somewhat of a niche on special teams but that's not what you expect from a former first-round pick. All things considered, the Jaguars and Chaisson are better off mutually parting ways next offseason.
1. Press Taylor, offensive coordinator
The Jaguars offense has been inconsistent in 2023. Some of it falls in players' execution but offensive coordinator Press Taylor also deserves blame. Even when Jacksonville has won, things that shouldn't be an issue pop up. Drops have held the offense back at crucial times, and miscommunication also affected the team's overall execution.
As Doug Pederson's handpicked second in command, Taylor hasn't been able to get the most out of his unit. For example, the Jaguars traded for Calvin Ridley last year in hopes that it would take the passing game to the next level. Certainly, that hasn't been the case. Ridley has been solid and has certainly had his moments in 2023, hauling in 910 yards with seven touchdowns.
However, Taylor hasn't been able to maximize his skill set, often lining him up in the perimeter instead of deploying him in the middle of the field and using him in motion. This could've come in handy with Zay Jones and Christian Kirk missing time at different points of the season.
In Taylor's defense, his playcalling hasn't been downright awful. He took over calling plays full-time after handling the duty in the second half of several games last year. Also, the Jaguars offensive line has struggled in both pass protection and run blocking. That falls on general manager Trent Baalke's shoulders. Then again, the offense has looked unprepared and sloppy at times this season. That's on Taylor, who must make sure players execute their assignments.
There are currently no signs that Doug Pederson will move on from Taylor next year but if they do, there will be ample options to replace him. Also, it would be a wake-up call for a team that ranked in the top 10 in scoring last year but has taken a step back in 2023.