4 offseason needs for the Jacksonville Jaguars that surfaced this season
• Their biggest needs have surfaced in recent weeks
• These 4 stand out and need the team's brass attention
The Jacksonville Jaguars have made progress after finishing 9-7 last season. Entering Week 14, they're 8-5 and with a favorable chance to make the playoffs for the second straight year, either as a division champion or a wild card. On the other hand, their weaknesses have surfaced in recent weeks, especially during their losses.
Now, this isn't the time to panic yet, but the front office needs to start putting together their list of offseason needs if they want to enjoy sustained success beyond 2023. While some of their position groups are in good shape heading the last stretch of the season, others, including the next four, will need considerable improvements next year.
4. Pass rush rotation
The Jaguars have a good promising pass duo in Travon Walker and Josh Allen. The former has made strides in Year 2 and has shown enough progress to make you think he can be the dominant player the Jaguars expected when they drafted him first overall last year. Allen, on the other hand, is having a career year, closing in on the franchise record of sacks in a season Calais Campbell set in 2017.
That said, the Jags need to boost their pass-rush rotation. They don't have anyone else behind Walker and Allen. Dawuane Smoot, for his part, missed an early part of the season while recovering from a torn Achilles he suffered last year. However, he hasn't done much of note since returning.
On the other hand, K'Lavon Chaisson, the 20th overall selection in 2020, hasn't improved much this season and could benefit from a fresh start somewhere else. Also in the mix is Yasir Abdullah, who hasn't been much of a factor, which isn't surprising when you take into account that he's a rookie and he's still getting acclimated to the NFL.
With Chaisson and Smoot expected to hit the open market next year, the Jags will need to round out their rotations, and the offseason would be a good time to bring him a high-end pass rusher. They could go broke and pursue Brian Burns in free agency (if available), or go after a promising prospect in the draft such as Chop Robinson.
Regardless of the path they take, the defense could benefit from another pass rusher alongside Josh Allen and Travon Walker.