3 most underrated Jaguars players heading into the 2023 season

No. 1 most underrated Jaguars player in 2023: Rayshawn Jenkins, S

Can you really call Rayshawn Jenkins underrated after a handful of clutch performances last season? Totally. After all, it looked like the Jaguars had made a mistake when they gave him a four-year deal worth $35 million in 2021. While that wasn't a top-market contract, Jacksonville didn't get enough bang for their buck in Jenkins' first season.

Besides not making nearly enough game-changing plays, he displayed poor sportsmanship when he punched wide receiver Jauan Jenning in a shuffle during an outing against the San Francisco 49ers. This wasn't acceptable when you take into account that he was named team captain before the start of the season and a leader, he had let his team down.

But Jenkins refused to dwell in the past and once Urban Meyer was kicked to the curb, he got a clean slate with head coach Doug Pederson and made the most of it. The former Miami Hurrican had arguably the best season of his NFL career in 2022, helping the Jaguars beat the Dallas Cowboys with a walk-off pick six.

A few games later in the finale, Jenkins forced Tennesee Titans quarterback Josh Dobbs to fumble the football, which outside Josh Allen scooped and promptly took to the house to clinch the division and earn a playoff berth.

So this begs the question, is Jenkins a Pro Bowl safety? Maybe not but he can be one if he keeps playing at a high level in 2023. Similarly, he was invaluable during the Jaguars' five-game winning streak to end the 2022 season and doesn't get enough recognition for it.

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