3 huge Jacksonville Jaguars offseason needs at the midpoint of 2023

No. 2 The Jaguars need to give Josh Allen and Travon Walker help, round out their rotation

Ten weeks into the 2023 season, there's no doubt defensive end Aidan Hutchinson has been more productive than outside linebacker Travon Walker, the player Jacksonville picked over Hutchinson in last year's draft. That said, Walker keeps making strides and is quickly becoming a mainstay of the team's defensive front.

Josh Allen, for his part, is having a breakout season and his stats are the best among pass rushers in the league. Before the beginning of the season, there were questions about Allen being able to reach his full potential. It's fair to say that he's answered them with a resounding yes, ranking 10th in total pressures and seventh in win rate.

But as good as Allen and Walker have been this season, the Jaguars need another pass rusher. Dawuane Smoot has fared well since his return from the Achilles tear he suffered last year. However, Jacksonville needs someone who can take over games. Smoot isn't that player. On top of that, he's set to become a free agent, along with K'Lavon Chaisson, next year.

It's also worth noting that Josh Allen's contract runs through this season. For the sake of argument, let's say, the top brass gives him an extension. That would leave him, Travon Walker, and Yassir Abdullah, as the lone pass rushers on the roster next year. It's true that keeping Allen around could turn out to be costly but the Jaguars must put money aside to sign him and add another pass rusher next offseason.

The Carolina Panthers are adamant Brian Burns is part of their plans but if he hits the open market, the Jags should make an aggressive effort to sign him. The same is true for Danielle Hunter, a pass rusher the front office pursued earlier this year but ultimately failed to nab. Either way, the Jaguars must bolster their pass rush rotation in 2024.