The Jacksonville Jaguars will look to improve from a disappointing 2023 season but must overcome these roster weaknesses.
The Jacksonville Jaguars limped to the finish in 2023, and missed the playoffs when many pinned them as AFC South division champs given their roster construction. This year, the Jaguars have seen coaching changes and new players brought in. Is it enough to right the ship for the 2024 season? Let’s look at the Jaguars’ biggest weaknesses on the roster for the 2024 season.
Backup Running Back
Last offseason, the Jaguars thought they needed to address the inability to convert short-yardage situations by bringing in extra running back help. They signed D’Ernest Johnson and drafted Tank Bigsby but did not use either that much in 2023. Travis Etienne handled 75 percent of the running back carries and by midseason, he had nagging injuries that affected his production. He did not have the same burst, which really hurt the Jaguars’ offense.
The team must run the ball better in 2024 to take some pressure off Trevor Lawrence. That means there needs to be a better effort to take some of the touches away from Etienne to keep him healthy.
Last year, Bigsby struggled with fumbles but was not allowed to improve because he did not see the field very much. Both Johnson and Bigsby averaged 2.6 yards per carry and that has to improve. The team has said they want to get Bigsby more involved this year, so hopefully that can mean an extra weapon on offense and a healthier Etienne. If Etienne misses time there is a huge unknown on how the running back position will perform.
Linebackers
The Jaguars defense is moving from a 3-4 defense to more of a 4-3 defense. There will be variations, but three linebackers will be on the field more. Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker will go from standing up in outside linebacker position to have their hand in the ground as edges on the defensive line.
Foyesade Oluokun has one linebacker position set as he had another season with over 100 tackles. Devin Lloyd should lock up another linebacker spot after a much improved second year. According to PFF, Lloyd had huge increases in his grades of rush defense, tackling, and coverage. He should continue to improve in his third year alongside Oluokun.
That leaves the third linebacker spot up for grabs. There is Chad Muma that was selected in the same draft as Lloyd but his snaps decreased in 2023. He struggled in tackling and against the run but the change in scheme could help his development. Ventrell Miller is also in consideration in his second year out of Florida but did not play any snaps last year. There is so much uncertainty with the new defense and the linebacker position does not have great depth or experience outside of Oluokun.
Cornerback
Last year the Jaguars defense played above their talent in the first half of the year, but struggled as the season progressed. They finished 26th against the pass allowing 239 pass yards per game. As the top cornerback, Tyson Campbell started off strong in 2023.
Campbell had the assignment of covering the best wide receiver on the opposing team, and allowed only 173 yards in the first five games. Campbell would then deal with some injuries and was not the same player upon return. The team is hoping a healthy Campbell will help with the back end of the defense. He needs to be able to cover one side of the field so the team can provide help on the other side.
The second cornerback position is still up in the air as the Jaguars moved on from Darius Williams. They brought in Ronald Darby and Darnell Savage in free agency, along with drafting Jarian Jones in the third round out of Florida State.
Most think Savage will play nickel back but that could depend on the performance of Darby or Jones at the second cornerback spot. Though to be honest, the Jaguars should have targeted one of the higher rated corners in the NFL Draft.
Darby is going into his 10th year and had somewhat of a resurgence last year in Baltimore but before that he had struggled the past few years. It will be crucial for the secondary to improve so that the team can give the offense more opportunities and not have to win in shootouts.
Brandon Haye
Brandon grew up in Jacksonville, Florida and works as a health insurance data analyst. He has no children, but two fur babies - Squirt and Brownie. He and his wife, Katie, spend their time playing poker and enjoying time with their pups. Brandon is a huge Michigan Wolverine and Jacksonville Jaguars fan. He at one time was in 77 fantasy leagues and loves the game of football. Brandon started writing for The Leauge Winners in 2021.