Jacksonville Jaguars: 2019 Offseason Outlook

What a difference a year makes the Jacksonville Jaguars. Blake Bortles was one good pass, and a great play by a defender, away from the Super Bowl to finishing dead last in the AFC South. Was that the game that broke his spirit, or did Blake Bortles get paid and suddenly forget how to throw a football? Can the team really put all the blame on him? Star running back Leonard Fournette was off the field more games this year than on. Between an injury and punches thrown, Fournette did the team no favors this year and rumors of the team moving on began to swirl. Of course, the scapegoat was the poor play of Blake Bortles and the team benched him for the back part of the season.

So, where do the Jags go from here?

Even with their 5-11 finish, the Jaguars have the 7th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. Before they even get that far, they need to replace offensive coordinator Scott Milanovich. So far, the team has interviewed two replacements, Darrell Bevell and Todd Monken, but no decision has been made yet. Whoever they get then needs to work with head coach Doug Marrone on a vision to get the team back in playoff form. The defense held their own last season but couldn’t get off the field long enough to stay dominant. So this year’s game plan needs to be all about explosion offense.

Jacksonville seems to have mended their ways with Fournette and just recently signed Thomas Rawls. Rawls had success as a rookie in 2015 rushing for 830 yards but has fallen flat since. A new environment and a strong stable of running backs could feed his hunger for success. From there, the biggest difference in the Jacksonville Jaguars playoff run to now is their wide receivers. Bortles might have slunk back into his old ways, but the team also let their star receivers walk as well. Without their playmakers, it was only a matter of time before the team reverted back to their losing ways.

On to the NFL Draft and the seventh overall pick. With almost every mock draft this offseason having the Jags selecting a quarterback, that almost certainly will be a mistake. While the team hasn’t officially said the direction they’re going in regards to Bortles, they’re more than likely moving on. However, Dede Westbrook was the lone success story for the team and even his numbers were pedestrian at best. He lead the team with just 66 catches for 717 yards, everyone else fell far behind. Sure a good quarterback can change their fortune, a playmaker at receiver might be their best bet.

Yes, they do need to fix their signal caller, but if they throw another rookie to the fire their chances of success are significantly lower. Hitching a turnaround on a rookie QB is a mixed bag. There are success stories like Jared Goff and Carson Wetz, but there’s also the Blake Bortles and Ryan Tannehill who never quite hit their stride. There could be a ton of established veteran quarterbacks on the move this offseason who can step in and lead the charge. If the Jaguars can land one and draft a quarterback in round 2 it could put their offense back on track. Someone like AJ Brown of Ole Miss could be the big body target a quarterback like Joe Flacco or Teddy Bridgewater would need in Jacksonville to have a star-studded offense. Do the Jacksonville Jaguars gamble on a quarterback or does age and experience net them a playmaker? We’ll find out in April.