Welcome to the latest edition of “Gus’ Tiers” at 1010XL/92.5 FM!
Each Wednesday, I’ll be using Tiermaker dot com to create a 100% correct ranking of a timely subject related to the Jacksonville Jaguars/NFL landscape.
For this week’s Tier, I ranked Jacksonville’s roster needs. The first version was posted in February.
Very Low Need: Quarterback, Running Back, Wide Receiver, Tight End
The Jaguars locked down its franchise quarterback by signing Trevor Lawrence to a five-year, $275 million contract extension. Backups C.J. Beathard and Mac Jones will be free agents next offseason but it’d be surprising if one of them doesn’t return to Jacksonville.
Running backs Travis Etienne and Tank Bigsby are under contract through 2025, as are the following wideouts: Christian Kirk, Gabe Davis, Brian Thomas Jr., Devin Duvernay, Parker Washington and Elijah Cooks.
Jacksonville’s skill position group is set in stone for the next two seasons.
Assuming Davon Hamilton and Arik Armstead recover fully from their respective 2023 injuries, the defensive line unit is in good hands. Joining those two are veterans Roy Robertson-Harris and Jeremiah Ledbetter plus youngsters Tyler Lacy, Maason Smith and Jordan Jefferson.
The linebacker group is headed by defensive captain Foye Oluokun, who signed a contract extension this offseason, plus Devin Lloyd, Chad Muma and Ventrell Miller. This position could rise to “very low need” territory if any of those later three players take a leap in 2024.
Similarly, the cornerback core is led by Tyson Campbell, who signed a contract extension this offseason. The Jaguars also signed 30-year-old Ronald Darby to replace 31-year-old Darious Robinson. Behind those two outside starters are Montaric Brown, Jarrian Jones, Deandre Prince, and Christian Braswell, all of whom are playing on rookie deals. Darnell Savage is expected to start in the slot.
Medium Need: Center, Offensive Guard, Safety
The starting center and guard spots are filled by veterans Mitch Morse, Brandon Scherff and Ezra Cleveland – but Cleveland is arguably the weakest starter on the line, and Morse and Scherff are on the wrong side of 30. Jacksonville’s interior may hold up and play together for several more seasons, but more realistically, the team will have to search for replacements as soon as next year.
The depth at safety is strong. Andrew Wingard will be out for a few weeks due to a knee injury, but the team recently signed Adrian Amos and Tashaun Gipson Sr. to solidify the room, and they added Terrell Edmunds earlier in the offseason. Daniel Thomas remains one of Jacksonville’s best special teamers. But while the starting duo of Andre Cisco and Antonio Johnson should create many takeaways this season, Johnson is still an inexperienced player, and Cisco is set to hit free agency next offseason.
High Need: Defensive End, Offensive Tackle
Jacksonville has uninspiring depth at defensive end, at least in terms of name recognition. Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker will start for the foreseeable future, but the team could stand to upgrade its backups along the edge, especially in a conference stacked with high-end quarterbacks.
With Anton Harrison, Cam Robinson, Walker Little and Javon Foster on board for 2024, the Jaguars’ offensive tackle group is in solid short-term shape. However, the team may have to add more pieces sooner rather than later, because Robinson and Little are each set to hit the open market next offseason.
Very High Need: none
No position group is in dire circumstances right now. Credit to Trent Baalke and his staff for building a complete roster after spending big in free agency for starter upgrades in 2021 and 2022.
By Hays Carlyon Nice and easy. Few touchdowns in the NFL fall into that category. The Jaguars got one to start Saturday night’s preseason opener against the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs thanks to running back Travis Etienne. After a brilliant 73-yard kickoff return by receiver Parker Washington, the Jaguars started their first drive at the Chiefs 20. The drive ended with Etienne cruising into the end […]
