The Jacksonville Jaguars did a good job of fortifying their roster and adding depth in the offseason. However, loading up on talent is a yearly task due to salary cap rules. For the sake of argument, let's say you addressed a need this year but one of your playmakers will hit the open market next season and you will not be able to keep him., You will probably need to look for this replacement in either free agency or the draft.
Fortunately for the Jags, they have a solid mix of young and veterans on their roster right now. Moreover, they should be able to retain their top players set to become free agents in 2024. Having said that, they will need to have a contingency plan for the next three positions, which could be their biggest needs next offseason.
No. 3 early need for the Jaguars in 2024: Inside offensive line
Ben Bartch is currently recovering from a knee injury he suffered last year, which led the Jaguars to place him on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform list. The team's brass will most likely give a potential timeline for his recovery during training camp but there's a chance he'll be ready for the season opener.
In the meantime, Veteran Tyler Shatley can fill in for Bartch, so it doesn't look like the left guard stop will be a cause for concern in 2023. However, it may become precisely that next offseason. See, both Bartch and Shatley are entering contract years and the Jags might prioritize re-signing players such as outside Josh Allen and wide receiver Calvin Ridley.
Although Shatley has started 30 games over the last three years, he's been a reserve throughout his career, so bringing him back wouldn't be cost-prohibitive. The issue is that he's currently 32 and Jacksonville might want to bring him someone younger to groom into their primary backup on the interior offensive line. On the other hand, Bartch has shown starting potential but if he has a productive season, the Jags might not be able to fit him into next year's budget.
In the end, the Jags could find themselves looking to replace their starting left guard and their top backup in the interior. However you look at it, that's not an ideal situation to be in next season. The silver lining is that either rookie Cooper Hodges or Cole Van Lanen could develop into a suitable replacement for Shatley, but even then, the Jags will need to bolster their offensive trenches next year.
No. 2 early need for the Jaguars in 2024: Cornerback
The Jags have taken the steps to solidify their cornerback room. So far, their work has paid off, having acquired a pair of starting cornerbacks in Tyson Campbell and Darious Williams. They've also added lots of the group, having drafted Christian Braswell, Gregory Junior, and Montaric Brown over the last two years. However, it would be a good idea to start planning for 2025, even if it looks like somewhat of a distant future right now.
After all, Williams signed a three-year deal worth $30 million that runs through 2024 and Campbell will be playing on a contract year as well. The team will probably make a strong push to re-sign Campbell but it's uncertain if they're going to be able to retain Williams too.
Similarly, Tre Herndon, who's slated to line up in the slot in 2023, will be a free agent next offseason, so they might also need to look for a potential replacement. Maybe Braswell, Antonio Johnson, or a mix of both will be Herndon's heir apparent at nickel but until that happens, the Jags will need to look at potential options at the position.
Also, Brown or Junior could develop into solid boundary corners but Williams is a vastly underrated player, and replacing him could prove to be a tough task. Williams played nickel early in the 2022 season and struggled. However, he fared much better once he moved to the perimeter, allowing a 31.57 percent completion rate on 19 targets in the last five games and posting a team-high 16 passes defensed. Either way, the Jags need to start looking for someone to line up opposite Campbell if Williams walks in 2025.
No. 1 early need for the Jaguars in 2024: Pass rush
Quarterback is without a doubt the most important position on the football field but which is the second-most important? You could argue that it's left tackle given that they're tasked with protecting the blindside of a quarterback. On the other hand, how do you force him into making mistakes? * The edge rushers proceed to enter the chat *
Rattling a quarterback and applying pressure upfront gives defenses a chance to slow down opposing teams. And if you have an elite pass rush, it will be hard for your opponents to reach the end zone. The Jags know this firsthand, having put together one of the most dominant pass rushes in recent years, the famed Sacksonville defense.
Back in 2017, the Jags ranked second in the league in points allowed and registered 55 sacks. While they had a similar level of dominance the following season, they've struggled to dominate the trenches and bring the heat in recent years. This could change in 2023 though.
Outside linebackers Josh Allen and Travon Walker are expected to make a huge leap next season and if they do, Jacksonville would then have a dynamic pass-rush tandem. Joined by Dawuane Smoot, who just returned on a one-year deal, the Jags could have an efficient pass rush next season.
However, Smoot, along with 2020 first-round pick K'Lavon Chaisson, is slated to hit the open market next offseason. And unless rookie Yasir Abdullah or Jordan Smith steps up in 2023, the Jags will need to replenish their pass rush rotation next year.