Jacksonville Jaguars 2024 Preview

The Jacksonville Jaguars enter the 2024 season with an over/under win total of 8.5 after a disappointing 9-8 finish in 2023 that left them out of the playoffs.

Despite a mid-tier offense and defense, the Jaguars are looking to bounce back and return to the postseason.

Key Insights and Team Overview

The Jaguars have the talent to compete but need more consistency, particularly from their star quarterback and defensive unit. Here’s a breakdown of their offensive and defensive outlooks:

Offensive Outlook

• Trevor Lawrence’s Development:
  • Needs to Elevate: Trevor Lawrence had a subpar season in 2023, throwing 21 touchdowns against 14 interceptions with a rating under 90. He’ll need to step up and reduce turnovers if the Jaguars are to return to the playoffs. The inconsistency among his pass catchers didn’t help, but with a full slate of weapons available, the pressure is on Lawrence to deliver.
• Receiving Corps:
  • Calvin Ridley and Gabe Davis: Ridley returns as the primary target after a solid 2023 campaign with over 1,000 yards and eight touchdowns. The addition of Gabe Davis, who also had 700+ yards and eight touchdowns last year, should help offset the loss of Zay Jones.
  • First-Round Pick Brian Thomas: Thomas was drafted to replace Zay Jones and adds a silky smooth route-running ability with big-play potential. He could be a significant addition if he can translate his college success to the NFL.
  • Pro Bowl Tight End Evan Engram: Engram remains a key piece in the offense, coming off a Pro Bowl season with nearly 1,000 yards and 114 receptions.
• Running Game:
  • Travis Etienne Jr.: Etienne led the ground game with over 1,000 rushing yards but only averaged 3.8 yards per carry, a significant drop from his 5.1 yards per carry as a rookie. The Jaguars will need more efficiency from Etienne, and improvements along the offensive line could help.
• Offensive Line:
  • Mixed Performance: The Jaguars’ offensive line allowed 41 sacks last year, despite a low pressure rate due to quick passing. The addition of veteran center Mitch Morse should stabilize the unit, especially if left tackle Cam Robinson can stay healthy for the full season.

Find the Best NFL Bets with our Tools here:
Get +EV Bets Here | Arbitrage Bets | Sportsbook Screen | Prizepicks Optimizer | Parlay Builder | Middles Bets | Low Hold Bets

Defensive Outlook

• Defensive Line and Pass Rush:
  • Josh Allen Leads the Charge: Josh Allen had a breakout season with 17.5 sacks, but he needs more help from the rest of the defensive front. Second-year outside linebacker Travon Walker also broke out with 10 sacks, but the interior linemen need to contribute more.
  • New Additions: The Jaguars signed defensive tackle Arik Armstead, who brings experience and five sacks from last season, and drafted Mason Smith to add depth and potentially become a key rotational player.
• Linebackers:
  • Tackling Machines: Foye Oluokun continues to be a tackling machine, with over 170 tackles last season, and linebacker Devin Lloyd is developing into a reliable partner with 127 tackles of his own. The front seven will be the backbone of this defense.
• Secondary Concerns:
  • Key Losses: The Jaguars lost two of their best defensive backs in safety Rayshawn Jenkins and cornerback Darious Williams, both of whom were top performers last season. They’ll need newcomers Ronald Darby and Darnell Savage to step up, though both are coming off less impressive seasons. The secondary remains a concern, especially if the front seven doesn’t generate enough pressure.

Season Outlook

The Jaguars have the talent to be a playoff contender, but the strength of their schedule and the consistency of key players will determine their fate. Here’s a look at their potential floor and ceiling:

• Win Total Floor: 7 Wins
  • Why? If Trevor Lawrence continues to struggle with turnovers and the secondary can’t replace the production lost from Jenkins and Williams, the Jaguars could regress. However, they should still be able to pick up wins against teams like the Texans, Patriots, and Raiders, leading to a 7-10 finish.
• Win Total Ceiling: 10 Wins
  • Why? If Lawrence finds his groove and the defense, particularly the secondary, holds up, the Jaguars could reach 10 wins by sweeping some of their divisional games and picking up key victories against teams like the Packers and Bears.

Final Thoughts

The Jacksonville Jaguars are at a crossroads, with the potential to either return to the playoffs or regress depending on the performance of their key players. Trevor Lawrence’s development and the ability of the secondary to step up will be crucial factors in determining their success.

Key Points Recap

• Trevor Lawrence needs to reduce turnovers and elevate his play for the Jaguars to reach their potential.
• The receiving corps has been bolstered by the addition of Gabe Davis and first-round pick Brian Thomas.
• The offensive line and secondary are areas of concern, but new additions like Mitch Morse and Arik Armstead could provide a boost.
• Win total projection: 7 to 10 wins, with 9-8 as the most likely outcome if Lawrence and the defense can deliver.

Jaguars fans, buckle up for what could be a roller-coaster season. There’s enough talent on this team to compete, but it all hinges on key improvements and consistency across the board!