JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
Rob from the duuuuuuuu
Hey, John. I feel you have overly fond memories of our receiving corps from 2022. If I recall correctly, that team struggled to move the ball often and got hot in a late-season stretch. Even in that late-season stretch and playoff game, the offense struggled and seemed to get just hot enough at the end of those games to pull out a miraculous victory. The Tennessee game where we clinched the playoff berth was a great example. Offense couldn't move the ball and we needed a defensive touchdown to win a low-scoring game. If I recall correctly, we felt at the end of that season that we were a "No. 1 receiver away" from being a prolific offense. It didn't work out with Calvin Ridley as well as we hoped, but that does not mean we are better off without him. Christian Kirk is a fantastic No. 2 wide receiver and Zay Jones is a fantastic No. 3, but we still need that guy. I'm not sure quarterback Trevor Lawrence can elevate this average of a group enough to win a championship. I feel we may regret not signing Calvin or anyone else who could be considered a No. 1. I hope I'm wrong, but I for one am not in favor of running back our receiving corps from 2022.
The Jaguars won't "run back" the receiving corps from 2022 in 2024. They already have signed wide receiver Gabe Davis as an unrestricted free agent from the Buffalo Bills this offseason and I would expect they will select a wide receiver comparatively early in the 2024 NFL Draft. I don't expect "comparatively early" to mean Round 1, but I've been wrong before. As for your concern that this offense can't win big without adding a "True No. 1 receiver…" perhaps you're right. I do know there's a school of thought that this offense can be very effective without a "WR1." The Philadelphia Eagles won the Super Bowl under Head Coach Doug Pederson following the 2017 season without such a player. The Kansas City Chiefs have won Super Bowls – and been really good offensively – in a lot of other seasons in the same circumstance. Those teams essentially run/ran the same offense as he Jaguars now run under Pederson. The Jaguars in 2022 ranked 10th in the NFL in passing without that "True No. 1." Tenth in the NFL isn't ideal, but it doesn't suck. The thought is this offense can be effective with multiple really good receivers even if there's no "True No. 1." Remember, too: As much as we all focus wide receivers, what ailed the Jaguars offensively in 2023 more than a lack of receivers was an ineffective running game. Improving there from this view is still the best path to improving overall.
Bruce from Saint Simons Island
O, As expressed by some recent postings, the Jags will be better if the offensive and defensive lines are better. I'm not expressing any opinion on what player (or position) the Jags should draft, but do you agree that the offensive and defensive lines are the key to a good year. If so, how do the Jags look on the lines?
Yes, the offensive and defensive lines are key for the Jaguars in 2024. That's usually true in the NFL and it likely will be true for the Jaguars this season. I think the Jaguars will be better on the offensive and defensive lines than they were last season provided center Mitch Morse and defensive tackle Arik Armstead remain healthy.
Jason from North Pole, AK
I have been an advocate for interior defensive line in the first round, then I watched wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. out of Louisiana State University. Adding a player with elite speed who can take the top off a defense and get their safeties away from the line of scrimmage would fit this offense nicely. The offensive line was an issue last year, but we also didn't have a weapon that really opened up the offense. Gabriel Davis has a knack for big plays, but I don't think he is even a top 30 wide receiver in this league. Thomas Jr. seems like a good fit?
A lot of analysts like Louisiana State wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. and think he could be the Jaguars' selection at No. 17 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. I don't think the Jaguars will select wide receiver at that spot because I'm expecting cornerback. I like what I've seen from Thomas. I think he can be a really good player. He's certainly a possibility if the draft falls that way.
Bob from Sumter, SC
Now that the Houston Texans have signed wide receiver Stefon Diggs, they will obviously go undefeated and win the Super Bowl by at least 30 points. What's the point of even playing any games this year?
I'm not sure.
Steve from Nashville, TN
When the Jaguars draft defensive off the ball linebacker and secondary players later this month, what characteristics and skill sets will they have that fit Defensive Coordinator Ryan Nielsen's approach to our defense this season?
I would be surprised if the Jaguars select off-the-ball linebackers in the 2024 NFL Draft, particularly early. I would expect secondary players, particularly cornerbacks, to be comfortable playing man coverage in aggressive fashion.
Bradley from Sparks, NV
I'm not sure why you hate Bowers so much. Many NFL experts regard Bowers as an enthusiastic blocker with the potential to be average or better. He is a phenomenal prospect as a pass catcher. The Jags desperately need top-flight receivers on rookie contracts. I can't imagine he would be available at 17 but I don't think General Manager Trent Baalke would pass if he is.
I don't hate Georgia tight end Brock Bowers. I have outlined a couple of reasons the Jaguars might not select him at No. 17 if he were available. There are certainly reasons they would select him if available. Perhaps they will select him. If they did, that would be great.
Jon from Jax Beach
Former Jaguars Head Coach Tom Coughlin built his teams specifically to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers and consequently we were built to beat A LOT of other teams. Just saying.
OK.
Jason from Jacksonville
Tyson Campbell had a good year in 2022 but struggled with injuries last year. I went back and watched some of his plays over the last three years. He's definitely a good player but he seems to be more of a zone corner from what I can gather. In 2021, he did play some press coverage but didn't seem particularly comfortable with it to my untrained eye. Do you think Campbell can be an effective press corner?
That's a legitimate question. I haven't seen him do this all that extensively, so I don't have a great answer. Good players tend to adapt and Campbell will need to show this season he can transition to this defense. This isn't a great answer. It's the best I can give right now.
Don from Marshall, NC
How is it you double down on the running backs that could not get a yard when they need? That could only mean quarterback sneaks for Trevor. How else? You have no short-yardage situation players.
When it comes to not being "all in" on the Jaguars' short-yardage running backs, Dom remains determinedly "all in."
REY from Jacksonville
John, you think we are taking a corner in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft. My question is how did that work out for us the last time we took a corner in the first round. I say take the best player no matter what position he plays. I do not think they're any corners that would rate a first-round pick.
OK.
Keith from Duval by way of Miami
If the top two cornerbacks (Quinyon Mitchell of Toledo and Terrion Arnold of Alabama) are already drafted, what would your guess be as to the direction Jags go at 17? Third best corner? Wide receiver? Offensive or defensive line? Trade back?!
This is impossible to answer without knowing specifically who is available and how the team assesses each player. You don't want to draft "an offensive lineman" or "a corner." You want to draft the right player who fits what you do and who you think will develop. I expect the Jaguars to select corner No. 17 overall. I suppose in your scenario I'd go offensive line next, followed by wide receiver. I think a corner they like will be available. That's my guess two and a half weeks out. It's as good as anyone's guess. I guess.
John from Jacksonville
Hi KOAGF - Are you good at making flowcharts? I think we need a flowchart on the new kickoff rules. Have they accounted for the scenario of the squib kick bouncing off 6 players and back into the hands of the kicker?
I'm not good at making flowcharts.
