The Jacksonville Jaguars have made significant upgrades to most position groups over the last two years. And heading into the 2023 season, their roster doesn't seem to have a glaring weakness. In fact, players such as Trevor Lawrence, linebacker Foyesade Oluokun and wide receiver Christian Kirk have gotten lots of recognition in the last few months.
On the other hand, there are a handful of Jaguars players that don't get nearly as much praise as they should: Here are three of the most notable ones.
No. 3 most underrated Jaguars player in 2023: Zay Jones, WR
Before wide receiver Zay Jones signed with the Jaguars in 2022, he was mostly known for causing a glitch in the Matrix. In fact, he only had more than 600 yards in a season just once and seven of the 11 touchdowns he had scored from 2017-2021 had come in his rookie campaign.
Not surprisingly, general manager Trent Baalke got lots of flak for giving Jones a three-year contract worth $24 million last offseason. The fact that the former East Carolina Pirate got off to a slow start last season didn't help ease any potential concerns about giving him a top-market deal. But then, he managed to hit his stride and went on to set new career bests in catches (82) and yards (823).
Jones could start for most teams in the league and will once again have a big role for the Jaguars in 2023 but Calvin Ridley and Christian Kirk will most likely be the top 2 options in the passing game. That's why you won't probably see his name pop up nearly as often when listing the best players on the Jacksonville roster right now (even if he should).
No. 2 most underrated Jaguars player in 2023: Darious Williams, CB
Cornerback was listed as one of the Jaguars' biggest weaknesses throughout most of the offseason with pass rusher taking the spot in recent weeks. Looking back, there's no doubt the cornerback unit needed reinforcements but it wasn't because of the play of Darious Williams last year.
See, Tyson Campbell has steadily gotten lots of attention from the national media but Williams also deserves his fair share. The former UAB Blazer started the 2022 season in the slot and had a few rough outings. However, he fared much better once the coaching staff moved him to the boundaries, where he's been the most effective throughout his NFL career.
Looking back, it's fair to wonder why the Jags didn't start Williams opposite Campbell as soon as Shaquill Griffin was done for the season. One theory is that they wanted Williams to pan out in the slot but regardless of the reason, there's no doubt he became a key role in the perimeter in 2022. Despite the fact that he didn't register an interception for the season straight year, he led Jacksonville in passes defended with 16. Campbell was second with 15.
After allowing just six catches in 19 receptions for 46 yards — an average of 7.6 yards per reception — in the last five weeks of the 2022 season, Williams is slated to start opposite Campbell. The fact that he won't have to change positions should lead to an even better performance in 2023.
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.