Will The Jacksonville Jaguars Contend In The AFC South?

The Jacksonville Jaguars have been one of many laughing shares of the NFL over the previous 4 seasons.

They’ve had a shedding file every year and their finest season over the stretch was 2019 once they have been 6-10.

After getting many excessive drafts picks for all these shedding seasons, is Jacksonville able to contend of their division?

The reply to that has so much to do with the event of quarterback Trevor Lawrence.

The 2021 first-overall choose struggled in his rookie season, however he didn’t get a lot help from the coaches round him.

Former head coach City Meyer was fired after 13 video games and the entire season was a large number for Jacksonville.

Lawrence struggled all yr, throwing for 3,641 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 17 interceptions.

However, the flashes of brilliance have been there for the rookie who was fourth within the NFL in cash throws.

Now with an skilled head coach like Doug Pederson taking up the workforce, the Jags have an opportunity to shock some individuals.

Pederson has a historical past of growing younger QBs.

When he was in Philadelphia, Carson Wentz had the perfect yr of his profession with Pederson.

Now the take a look at shall be for Lawrence to develop underneath the offensive-minded head coach.

Battle For The AFC South

For the previous two seasons, the AFC South has been received by the Tennessee Titans.

However, the reigning champs are anticipated to take a step again this yr after buying and selling vast receiver A.J. Brown.

Plus they nonetheless have 34-year-old quarterback Ryan Tannehill on the helm.

In Indianapolis, the Colts traded Carson Wentz to the Washington Commanders and added Matt Ryan as their new QB.

That needs to be an improve for this upcoming season however it’s truthful to marvel how a lot the 37-year-old Ryan has left within the tank.

The Houston Texas are in rebuild mode after buying and selling Deshaun Watson and turning the franchise over the Davis Mills.

That leaves us with Jacksonville.

In most seasons, the workforce with the perfect quarterback within the division wins.

It isn’t loopy to assume that Lawrence might be the perfect QB within the South this yr.

The 22-year-old is by far essentially the most gifted quarterback and may leap ahead in 2022.

The Jaguars entrance workplace surrounded Lawrence with loads of new expert gamers to assist his improvement.

They added Christian Kirk, Zay Jones, and Evan Engram and welcome again first-round choose Travis Etienne.

Kirk needs to be the brand new primary receiver after signing an enormous deal within the offseason.

Etienne, the previous school teammate of Lawrence is anticipated to be the workhorse for the Jags.

Plus, he is a superb go catcher that can assist out of the backfield.

Jacksonville’s protection has even gotten significantly better over the previous yr.

They added the 2022 first general choose, Travon Walker, to their protection.

Together with one other first-round choose in linebacker Devin Lloyd.

The Jaguars could also be too inexperienced to contend for the AFC South title.

However, they actually have the items in play to make some noise within the close to future.