Trevor Lawrence and 3 other Jaguars players fans are most thankful for this year

The Jacksonville Jaguars have left much to be desired this season, and nobody would blame fans if they're tired of seeing the team lose despite the fact that they have ample talent to compete. What's infuriating is that not only have they struggled to win games in 2024 but have been embarrassed several times. The worst of the bunch arguably came against the Detroit Lions in Week 11.

That said, there have been a few bright spots, even if they've been few and far between. And in the spirit of Thanksgiving Day and the Holidays, here are four players Jaguars fans should be grateful for.

Trevor Lawrence, quarterback

Trevor Lawrence hasn't lived up to the general talent moniker, but that doesn't mean he isn't a good quarterback. Far from it. It's true that he got off to a rough start to the 2024 season and has been responsible for costly mistakes throughout his stint with the Jags. That said, the former Clemson Tiger gives the team a fighting chance nearly every week.

The Jaguars certainly believe Lawrence is the long-term answer behind center. Otherwise, they wouldn't have given him a top-market extension in the offseason. With him in the fold, the team won't have to worry about the quarterback position for a while and can instead focus on addressing other areas of need.

Travon Walker, defensive end

This might not be a popular pick, and understandably so. After all, Jacksonville passed on Aidan Hutchinson to draft Travon Walker, and it's fair to say that the Detroit Lions got the better of the two.

Having said that, the former Georgia Bulldog hasn't been nearly as dreadful as people make it sound. Is he better than Hutchinson? No, but there's a difference between not being as dominant as Hutchinson and being a draft bust. Walker is far from a bust.

Heading into Week 13, the Thomaston, Georgia native leads the Jags with seven sacks. You could make the case that Josh Hines-Allen is the best pass rusher on the team, and you may have a point. However, Walker is quickly narrowing the gap, and ultimately, who cares who's the better of the two? Isn't it better to think of it as the Jaguars having a pair of dominant defensive ends?

Tyson Campbell, cornerback

The Jaguars raised eyebrows when they chose to give Tyson Campbell a four-year deal worth $76.5 million in the offseason. The issue wasn't that he wasn't good but rather that he got a premium contract despite the fact that he hasn't made the Pro Bowl or earned an All-Pro designation in his young NFL career. However, there's a reason Jacksonville didn't flinch when it paid the former Georgia Bulldog.

Campbell was a top-10 cornerback in 2022 and was on his way to getting widespread recognition before injuries hampered him last year. Although he's once again dealt with a series of ailments in 2024, he's played at a high level when he's been available. If he manages to stay healthy the remainder of the season, he could once again join the conversation about the best players at his position in the NFL.

Brian Thomas Jr., wide receiver

The Jaguars have had trouble finding a bonafide No. 1 receiver since the days of Jimmy Smith and Keenan McCardell. Or at least that was the case before they drafted Brian Thomas Jr. in 2024. Right off the bat, the former LSU Tiger had an impact and his deep-threat capability that made him a collegiate star seamlessly carried over into the pros.

Thomas is playing like a vested veteran and has given the Jaguars' offense an element of verticality that it had sorely needed for years. The Louisiana native is on pace to be the first wideout in team history to register 1,000 yards as a rookie.

Expect more of the Trevor-Lawrence-Brian Thomas connection the next few years.

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