At the dawn of the 2022 season, We Sport looks back on the situation of the 32 NFL franchises. Today, focus on the Jacksonville Jaguars, where the Trevor Lawrence era could finally begin.
The balance sheet of Jacksonville Jaguars last season
Chaotic. Already the worst record in the entire NFL in 2020, the Jaguars had an even more complicated season last year. However, there was hope with the arrival of Urban Meyer on the bench and the selection of Trevor Lawrence with the 1is choice of the draft, he who is announced as a generational talent. Results ? A dismissal after thirteen games for Meyer, (still) the worst record in the league and a disappointing Trevor Lawrence. Nothing really encouraging for a franchise which, with the exception of 2017, has been languishing in the AFC’s slums for almost fifteen years.
[3-14]no playoffs
The movements of the off-season
New season and new era for the Jaguars, who have entrusted the reins of the team to Doug Pederson, winner of Super Bowl LII with the Philadelphia Eagles. And Jacksonville did not skimp on the means to try to revive itself. Strong point of the franchise during its crazy epic of 2017, the defense recorded reinforcements on all lines. In the backfield, Darious Williams arrives from Los Angeles to fill the position of No. 1 cornerback. On the second curtain, Myles Jack and Damien Wilson have left, but will be replaced by Foye Oluokun, last season’s best tackler, and rookie Devin Llyod. Add Foley Fatukasi on the defensive line, not to mention the surprising 1is last draft pick Travon Walker, and you’ve got a defense that’s grown from the offseason.
In attack too, the Jaguars have put the means to help Trevor Lawrence. In lack of targets, he records the arrival of Christian Kirk, promised to the role of go-to-guy in this attack. The offensive line has also been strengthened, with the draft of Luke Fortner to compensate for the retirement of Brandon Linder and the crossover inside between Andrew Norwell and Brandon Scherff. If the workforce was low, it certainly gained from the change compared to 2021.
Major arrivals: DT Foley Fatukasi (Jets), LB Foye Oluokun (Falcons), WR Christian Kirk (Cardinals), AND Brandon Scherff (Commanders), CB Darious Williams (Rams)
Notable departures: WR DJ Chark (Lions), LB Myles Jack (Steelers), C Brandon Linder (Retirement), AND Andrew Norwell (Commanders), LB Damien Wilson (Panthers)
Extensions: OT Cam Robinson (Franchise Tag)
Draft* : OF Travon Walker (Georgia), LB Devin Lloyd (Utah), OL Luke Fortner (Kentucky), LB Chad Muma (Wyoming)
* Only the players selected during the first two days are mentioned.
The number of Jacksonville Jaguars 2022/2023
Still quite poor, the Jaguars attack is above all built to allow Trevor Lawrence to evolve in better conditions than last year. Behind an offensive line where Cam Robinson has been kept and where Brandon Scherff has settled, he will rely on Christian Kirk in the air and Travis Etienne on the ground.
On the other side of the field, the many rookies are the main strengths of the franchise. Fatukasi, Oluokun, Williams but also the rookies Lloyd and Walker will come to help Josh Allen, very alone so far on the pass rushand Shaquill Griffin, the only major weapon in the backfieldto try to advance one of the most permeable squads in the league in 2021.
Jacksonville Jaguars : Ambitions and ranking
With a reinforced workforce but still lacking in experience and stars, the Jaguars should not work miracles this season. Doug Pederson’s goal will be to give this franchise a new direction and show real signs of progress, in the hope of a much brighter future. Breaking away from the league’s worst team label and progressing will be the Jaguars’ goals in 2022.
The duo to be continued : Trevor Lawrence & Travis Etienne
Last year, one was disappointed, the other was injured. And yet, Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne, former teammates at Clemson in the NCAA, are the future of the Jaguars. In an attack where Doug Pederson should rely well on the ground, this duo will inevitably be scrutinized closely as he was successful in university. Expected at the turn, Lawrence will have to bounce back and will greatly benefit from the return of his teammate. If this duo finds its performance, Jacksonville could have a completely different face offensively.
The calendar of Jacksonville Jaguars in 2022
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Week 1 @ Washington Commanders |
Week 2 vs Indianapolis Colts |
Week 3 @ Los Angeles Chargers |
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Week 4 @ Philaddelphia Eagles |
Week 5 vs Houston Texans |
Week 6 @ Indianapolis Colts |
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Week 7 vs New York Giants |
Week 8 vs Denver Broncos |
Week 9 vs Las Vegas Raiders |
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Week 10 @ Kansas City Chiefs |
Week 11 BYE |
Week 12 vs Baltimore Ravens |
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Week 13 @ Detroit Lions |
Week 14 @ Tennessee Titans |
Week 15 vs Dallas Cowboys |
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Week 16 @ New York Jets |
Week 17 @ Houston Texans |
Week 18 vs Tennessee Titans |
Feature image credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Louis Rousseau
The words “Minnesota Miracle” and “No-Call” are scratched from my vocabulary. My heart mourns the retirement of Drew Brees as my eyes finally widen watching the Knicks.