The Jacksonville Jaguars won four straight games after losing two in a row. One big reason for the turnaround is that several players have stepped up. Among them are wide receiver Christian Kirk and tight end Evan Engram who've picked up where they left off last year. Similarly, Trevor Lawrence is reminding everyone that he's a top 10-quarterback in the league.
On the other hand, there are a few players the Jags expected to have a big role in 2023 but have instead underperformed. In particular, these three haven't lived up to expectations this season.
No. 3 Jacksonville Jaguars player who's disappointed this season: Chad Muma, LB
Let's get it out of the way, Devin Lloyd is the unquestioned starter next to Foyesade Oluokun. However, it was a bit odd if not right out disappointing not to see Chad Muma challenge Lloyd after flashing potential last year.
Muma was among the top linebacker prospects in last year's draft but he slid to Round 3 for some reason. Although the Jacksonville Jaguars had already selected Lloyd in the first round, they didn't want to pass up the chance and picked Muma.
The Jaguars installed Lloyd in the starting lineup despite the fact that he missed time in training camp with a hamstring injury. However, he eventually struggled and was benched in favor of Muma. The former Wyoming Cowboy ended up making two starts but suffered an ankle injury that paved the way for Lloyd to return.
This year, Lloyd opened training camp as the starter and there was no competition for the spot next to Oluokun. However, a thumb injury in Week 3 sidelined him for two games and Muma got a chance to make an impression. Unfortunately, he struggled and returned to the sidelines when Lloyd was healthy enough to play.
Since Lloyd came back in Week 6, Muma has played a total of three defensive snaps. Either way, that's not the kind of production you expect from a player that had previously flashed starting potential.
No. 2 Jacksonville Jaguars player who's disappointed this season: Ben Bartch, LG
Left guard was seen as one of the Jacksonville Jaguars' biggest offseason needs but they didn't really address it because they were confident Ben Bartch was going to successfully return from a knee injury he suffered in Week 5 of the 2023 season.
Bartch, a fourth-round pick in the 2020 draft, spent the offseason rehabbing his knee and started practicing near the beginning of the regular season. The former St. John Johnny managed to return to the lineup for the opener and fared relatively well. However, he struggled the next two games and was benched in favor of veteran Tyler Shatley against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 4.
It's possible that Bartch came back before he was 100 percent healthy, or maybe he was rusty after not playing for more than eight months. Regardless of the reason, it's telling that the Jags went with journeyman Blake Hance instead of him when Brandon Scherff went down with an ankle injury in Week 5. After all, Bartch started 11 games at right guard in 2021.
Since tumbling down the depth chart, Bartch has not played a single snap on offense and has appeared in just 20 snaps on special teams. This was a contract year for him but he's probably seen his stock drop after underperforming. There won't probably be much demand for his services in 2024 but it wouldn't be shocking to see him bounce back if he's healthy next year.
For the time being, don't expect Ben Bartch to get much playing time in what's left of the season.
No. 1 Jacksonville Jaguars player who's disappointed this season: Calvin Ridley, WR
Wide receiver Calvin Ridley hasn't been bad per se but he hasn't had the impact the Jacksonville Jaguars expected when they acquired him from the Atlanta Falcons last year. Ridley, who missed the 2022 season while serving a suspension for betting on NFL games, garnered positive reviews in training camp.
Throughout the offseason, Ridley showed the speed and playmaking skills that made him a mainstay of the Atlanta Falcons' offense early in his NFL career. He then had an outstanding debut for the Jaguars, hauling in eight receptions for 101 yards with one touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts in the opener.
However, Ridley's only had one 100-yard game since the opener. Right now, he's third in the team with catches behind fellow wide receiver Christian Kirk and tight end Evan Engram. He also ranks second behind Kirk in receiving yards with 368. Again, those aren't bad numbers but they aren't what you expect from a bonafide No. 1 receiver.
On the bright side, the tape shows Ridley is still playing at a high level but teams are making a significant effort to slow him down. Head coach Doug Pederson said as much after the win over the New Orleans Saints, where Ridley mustered one reception for five yards.
Pederson says the Saints rolled coverages toward Calvin Ridley last night. He says they still have to get him involved, but credit to the Saints for recognizing Ridley as a threat and executing their plan
— John Shipley (@_John_Shipley) October 20, 2023
Having said that, you expect more from a WR1, one that has proven that he can play at an elite level. The good news is that Calvin Ridley is getting more acclimated to the Jaguars' offense as the year progresses and there's a good chance he'll hit his stride in the second half of the season.