3 emerging alphas on the Jacksonville Jaguars roster in 2024
The Jacksonville Jaguars didn't live up to expectations last year. Owner Shad Khan said as much when he met with the local media following the vote to spend $1.4 billion on renovations for EverBank Stadium. While he didn't single out any player or head coach, he believes everyone deserves part of the blame.
One reason the Jags faded down the stretch was that the coaches weren't able to get the most out of their players. Then again, head coach Doug Pederson pointed out there's only so much they can do. He's right. After all, they don't suit up and take the field. It's ultimately up to players to step up. Looking back, having better leadership in place could've also helped.
Veterans like right guard Brandon Scherff and linebacker Foyesade Olukun were around last year but it looks like their presence wasn't enough to keep their teammates engaged at the end of the season. Fortunately for them, help is on the way. Here are three emerging alphas that will play a leadership role in 2024.
Arik Armstead is emerging as an alpha for the Jaguars in 2024
Reinforcing the line of scrimmage was a priority for the Jaguars after 2023. Travon Walker and Josh Allen notwithstanding, they couldn't consistently bring the heat and routinely failed to stop teams from running the football. That's why the front office went after defensive tackle Arik Armstead in free agency.
Armstead has routinely been among the best defensive tackles in the NFL since the San Francisco 49ers drafted him in 2015. Even though he played through injuries last year, he still managed to log five sacks and even brought down Patrick Mahomes in Super Bowl 58. It's fair to say that his presence in the interior will help Walker and Allen find more favorable matchups in the edges.
Another benefit of having Armsted in the mix is that he's bringing plenty of experience and leadership to Jacksonville. He's one of the few players on the Jaguars' roster with Super Bowl experience, having played two. Quarterback C.J. Beathard was his teammate when he played in the championship game in 2019 but he didn't see the field. Meanwhile, the former Oregon Duck made enough plays to give the Niners a chance, even if they ultimately lost both times.