NFL experts argue Jaguars are built to sustain long-term success

Depending on whom you ask, the Jacksonville Jaguars are either overrated or flying under the radar ahead of the 2024 NFL season. However, a panel of NFL experts believes that they have the pieces in place to enjoy long-term stability.

ESPN asked Dan Graziano, Aaron Schatz, and Louis Riddick to rank all 32 NFL teams' future expectations using a scale to rate their quarterback situation, roster making and front office as parameters. They then averaged the results to create a score.

The Jaguars popped up at No. 13 with a score of 82.1. Graziano points out that they have a pair of building blocks in Trevor Lawrence and Josh Hines-Allen.

" Quarterback Trevor Lawrence is still only 24 years old, and edge rusher Josh Hines-Allen is a star and young leader on the defensive side of the ball, posting 17.5 sacks last season. Both players were just signed to big extensions to keep them in town. Toss in that coach Doug Pederson has won a Super Bowl and the fact that this group authored one of the gutsiest playoff wins of all time just two seasons ago, and you have a good base for future success."

On the other hand, Reddick says that Lawrence must now live up to the five-year, $275 million extension he signed in 2024. He argues that fellow AFC South quarterback C.J. Stroud may be better and cites his propensity for fumbling the ball as a reason for concern moving forward.

Lawrence, the first overall pick in 2021, was expected to make a leap and solidify his place as one of the top 5 quarterbacks in the NFL. Instead, he regressed. In his defense, the former Clemson Tiger was pressured at one of the highest rates in the league and injuries prevented him from performing to the best of his capabilities.

In fact, the Jaguars were 8-3 before injuries derailed Lawrence's season, so you could make the case he was the reason they had a chance to win, to begin with.

On the other hand, Josh Hines-Allen had played at an elite level in previous seasons but lacked consistency. It wasn't until last year that he was able to put it all together, registering a team-record 17.5 sacks and 90 total pressures. Coming off a breakout season, the former Kentucky Wildcat wanted a top-market contract and eventually got it. Lawrence got his not long after.

The Houston Texans, at No. 7, got the highest spot among teams in the AFC South while the Indianapolis Colts ranked 19th. The Tennessee Titans, on the other hand, got the 25th spot, and in case you were wondering, the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs — to nobody's surprise — landed at the top of the ranking.

Trevor Lawrence and Josh Hines-Allen give the Jaguars 2 building blocks

The Jaguars were right for locking up their two best players in the offseason. That said, they have a handful of building blocks apart from Trevor Lawrence and Josh Hines-Allen. Travon Walker, the first overall pick in 2022, has made strides and is poised to make a leap in 2024. Safety Andre Cisco and linebacker Devin Lloyd are also seen as strong candidates to break out.

And to ensure they avoid another late-season collapse, the Jags imported several players with ample playoff experience in free agency. When you factor in the presence of veterans such as Lawrence, Hines-Allen, and Josh-Hines, and intriguing young talent such as right tackle Anton Harrison and rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville is in a position to compete the next three years.

The bottom line is that Jacksonville Jaguars are entering the 2024 season with relatively low expectations but they have enough playmakers in place to seize the AFC South and keep control of it for the foreseeable future. It's good to see that NFL experts agree.

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