The Best Jacksonville Jaguars to Back This Season
Following on from a disappointing 2023 campaign, Jacksonville Jaguars fans will be looking on to the 2024 season with hope and wondering which players from their current roster have the potential to spur the team on to victory.
Floridian sports fans have had a challenging time of late backing their favorite sports teams. The Sports Daily sports editor Alan Draper explains that gambling in Florida can often be confusing with online sports betting facing a number of court challenges. Thankfully, things seem to be becoming more straightforward. (Source: https://thesportsdaily.com/florida/online-gambling/)
Jaguars fans looking to bet on their team next season will look at their top performers and where it all went wrong this year to give them a better idea of their chances.
2023 Season Review
The Jaguars started their 29th NFL season in good form, going on to match their 2022 9-match win record in week 17. However, a severe loss of form near the end of the season saw them losing five of six of their final games, losing the AFC South title, and missing the playoffs.
The end of the season brought big changes with defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell being relieved of his position. Press Taylor, the offensive coordinator remains under scrutiny as the team looks to prepare for next season.
Defensive coordinator Ryan Nielson comes in with a strong track record of turning things around, and building from the back could be key to a strong 2024.
While the coaches will focus on areas that need to be strengthened, fans will look at the season’s big performers as inspiration for a 2024 playoff push.
Players to Look Out For Going Forward
There will likely be some comings and goings to the current roster before the Jacksonville Jaguars embark on their 30th NFL season. By adding a few key players to an already talented squad, head coach Doug Pederson will be confident of reaching the playoffs.
Trevor Lawrence
Starting quarterback Trevor Lawrence threw 4,016 yards in the 16 games he played in the 2023 season. He had a 65.6% completion rate and averaged 251 yards per game. He only missed one game through injury during the season and will be fit and ready to start again.
The 6ft 6″ 24-year olf from Knoxville, Tennessee is easily recognized by his long flowing locks and winning smile. While his yards are down from the 4,113 thrown in 2022, he had one extra game to get to this career high. A good run in the playoffs next season should see him smash through this record.
Travis Etienne Jr.
Travis Etienne Jr. is a 25-year-old running back who was drafted by the Jaguars in 2021. He led the way in rushing yards for 2023 with 1008 from his 17 appearances.
An average of 59.3 rushing yards per game resulted in 53 rushing first downs and led the way in touchdowns for the Jaguars with 12 for the season.
Calvin Ridley
Wide receiver Calvin Ridley was ahead of Evan Engram and Christian Kirk in receiving years, finishing the season with a game average of 59.8 and a total of 1,016 from 17 games.
Ridley joined the Jaguars from the Atlanta Falcons in 2022 but didn’t feature that season as he was serving a suspension for betting on games that took place during the 2021 season.
His return to action saw him perform well, and with a season under his belt at his new team, he should be able to push on.
Foyesade Oluokun
Defensively the Jaguars were left wanting by the end of the season. However, Foyesade Oluokun showed promise and the powerful linebacker led the way with 173 tackles, including 111 solo tackles and 62 assist tackles.
His best overall season saw him make 192 combined tackles for the Atlanta Falcons and he reached a career-high 128 solo tackles in his first year at the Jaguars in 2022.
Darious Williams
Darious Williams and Andre Cisco led the way in interceptions for the Jaguars in 2023 with both recording 4. Cornerback Williams joined the Jaguars in 2022 from the Los Angeles Rams and has a career total of 10 interceptions and 236 tackles.
At 30 years old, Darious Williams isn’t getting any younger and will be determined to make a mark in the Jaguars’ push for glory in 2024.
Main Image: Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK