The Jacksonville Jaguars are counting on players such as Trevor Lawrence, wide receiver Christian Kirk and linebacker Foyesade Oluokun to pick up where they left off last year. However, there are a few others who must put it all together in 2023 if the Jags want to make a deep playoff run.
So which players are Jacksonville expecting to break out next season? Here are three, two on defense and one on offense.
No. 3 Jaguars candidate to have a breakout season in 2023: Tyson Campbell, CB
Even though the Jags had just locked up Shaquill Griffin and brought back Sidney Jones in 2021, they drafted Tyson Campbell 33rd overall that year. Although the decision seemed odd at the time, those that doubted the pick (guilty as charged) have come around to recognize how good the former Georgia Bulldog has turned out to be.
Campbell got off to a rough start in the NFL but that was the result of lining up in the slot. Once he replaced C.J. Henderson in the boundaries, he fared much better. In fact, he was responsible for registering two of the seven interceptions the Jaguars had in 2021.
But the Florida native was just getting started and he made huge strides last season. Besides giving up a 58.3 percent completion rate when targeted, he also tallied 15 passes defensed (second-best in the team) and was one of four Jaguars to log three interceptions.
Heading into the 2023 season, Campbell has gotten lots of recognition not only as one of the best cornerbacks in the league but one of their top players regardless of the position. If he can increase his interception totals, he could earn the first Pro Bowl nod of his career or even a First-Team All-Pro designation.
No. 2 Jaguars candidate to break out in 2023: Travon Walker, OLB
Outside linebacker Josh Allen recognizes that he wasn't nearly as good as he could've been last year but he isn't the only Jaguars pass rusher that has room for improvement. Travon Walker, the No. 1 overall pick, had a quiet rookie campaign but he's expected to make a huge leap in Year 2.
Even though most first-year players undergo an adjustment period coming out of college, Walker also needed to switch positions. After playing multiple roles across the defensive line at Georgia, he moved to outside linebacker full-time. Even though he logged a sack and an interception against the Washington Commanders in the opener, he was a non-factor at times.
The silver lining is that Walker grew comfortable as the 2022 season progressed. It also helped him that the coaching staff allowed him to play on a three-point stance, where he's at his best, towards the end of the year.
Another thing that could help Walker have a banner year is that he no longer has to deal with distractions. Besides having to switch positions, he spent last offseason meeting with teams and attending workouts during the pre-draft process.
Also working in Walker's favor is that he's entering his second year in defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell's system and not having to learn a new scheme should allow him to work on the details. Walker flashed potential as a rookie. Expect him to build on that and flirt with 10 sacks next season.
No. 1 Jaguars candidate to break out in 2023: Walker Little, OT
Offensive tackle Walker Little was on his way to becoming a surefire top-10 pick in the 2020 draft but a torn ACL in the 2019 season had a huge impact on his draft stock. He returned to Stanford in 2020 but ended up opting out due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Heading into the 2021 draft, Little was fully healthy but hadn't played football in more than a year, which might be why he slid to the second round.
You already know how things played out but just in case, the Jags ended up drafting Little 45th overall despite the fact that they had just used the franchise tag on left tackle Cam Robinson. Little spent most of his rookie year on the sidelines but he ended up starting three games. Even though he struggled in the first one, he played pretty well in the next two, giving up just one total pressure on 70 pass-blocking snaps.
Despite the fact that Little showed promise in 2021, the Jaguars gave Robinson a long-term deal last offseason. With Robinson firmly entrenched at left tackle, Little challenged Jawaan Taylor in training camp for the starting job on the right side. Little ultimately lost the competition but ended up taking Robinson's spot in the lineup when he suffered a meniscus injury late in the season.
Little went on to make five starts (three in the playoffs) and he'll now be given the chance to seize the starting job at left tackle while Robinson serves a suspension for violations to the league's performance-enhancing drug policy.
Over the last two seasons, Little has shown a small sample of what he's capable of doing. He's now ready to break out and embrace the spotlight.