B/R points to crucial boxes Jaguars still need to check off this offseason

The Jacksonville Jaguars have done a good job bringing in talent and keeping their own players this offseason. Granted, they let Calvin Ridley walk in free agency but other than that, they made enough moves to put themselves in a position to compete for the AFC South title. That said, they could still bolster a few position groups. Matt Holder of Bleacher Report thinks cornerback and the pass rush are two of them.

Holder drew up a list of moves each NFL team still needs to do in the offseason, and had three for the Jaguars: Bolster the cornerback position, add a third pass rusher, and find an heir apparent for left tackle Cam Robinson.

Out of the three, cornerback is probably the most important one. After all, Tyson Campbell is coming back from injury and Ronald Darby has missed 13 contests the past two seasons. Rookie Jarrian Jones has had a promising offseason and could make a strong push for a starting job at some point in 2024. However, he's still an unproven commodity. Here's what Holder had to say about the group.

"Corner is the weakest position on the Jacksonville Jaguars roster after Darious Williams returned to the Los Angeles Rams in free agency. The front office hasn't done enough to replace him this offseason, but there are a few quality options available on the open market.

If the Jaguars are going to bounce back and return to the playoffs this fall, they need to address the backend of the defense."

If Jones turns into a difference-maker as a rookie, the cornerback room will be in good shape. Also, the Jags will probably want to see what they have in 2024 fifth-round pick Deantre Prince and how much Montaric Brown and Gregory Junior have grown. If the team's brass does decide that they want to make a move, their options will be limited.

After all, most corners have already found a home at this stage of the offseason, and most of those who are still available face either age, injury, or performance-related questions. Perhaps Jacksonville could give the New Orleans Saints a call and inquire about Marshon Lattimore but trading for him would require a considerable investment, at least from a salary cap perspective.

Moreover, it doesn't look like the Saints are interested in shopping Lattimore. But if they did, the Jags need to be sure their current group needs a boost before considering trading for him.

Trevis Gipson could rebound with the Jaguars in 2024

In regards to the pass rush, Matt Holder rightfully points out that the Jaguars have a terrific tandem of pass rushers in Josh Allen and Travon Walker but their rotation could use reinforcements. He notes that Trevis Gipson is projected to be No. 3 but has only logged four sacks the past two seasons.

It's true that Gipson has been a non-factor the past two seasons but he showed in 2021 that he can get after the quarterback, registering seven sacks. While he must carry some of the responsibility for his dropoff, he's played in systems that weren't suited to his strengths.

In Jacksonville, Gipson will go back to playing with his hand in the ground, where he's at his best. A bounce-back season isn't farfetched. Then again, having an option besides him would be ideal.

Right now, the other pass rusher on the Jaguars' roster is rookie seventh-round pick Myles Cole. While the former Texas Tech Raider has the tools to develop into a solid player, he's a project at this stage of his career.

The Jaguars seemingly have a plan in place for Cam Robinson

The last box Matt Holder brings up is having a succession plan for Cam Robinson, noting that he may not be part of Jacksonville's long-term plans.

"It would be smart to piece together a plan for the veteran's departure just in case he walks during free agency. That could mean letting Anton Harrison get some reps on the left side this season, but regardless, some form of foresight should take place ahead of training camp."

Fortunately for the Jags, they have several options right now and could have more next offseason. The first one is obvious, re-sign Robinson, but if they plan to let him walk in 2025, they could turn to Walker Little.

For some reason, Little, a second-round pick in the 2021 draft, has yet to earn a featured role but he's fared well at left tackle when he's filled in for Robinson. He could re-sign at a reasonable price next year. But if the top brass isn't sold on him, they could move Anton Harrison to the left side (his natural position) in 2025.

It's also worth noting that Jacksonville used a fourth-round pick in this year's draft on Javon Foster. If he shows enough growth as a rookie, he could vie for the starting job at left tackle next year. If he doesn't, the front office could simply turn to the draft and look for Robinson's replacement in Rounds 1 or 2.

That's what they did in 2022 when they selected Harrison 27th overall to fill the void left by Jawan Taylor's departure in free agency.

The bottom line is that the Jacksonville Jaguars could still make a few moves before the start of the season, but none of them would fall in the urgent category.

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