Jacksonville is hoping for a much better season in 2021 than it had in 2020 when the team trudged along to a franchise-worst 1-15 record. After drafting the quarterback of the future in Trevor Lawrence, hiring a new head coach and general manager, and upgrading at several positions, the Jaguars look a lot different in 2021.
They aren’t necessarily expected to be competitive for a playoff spot, but most expect them to be quite a bit better than they were last season. Most, but not all.
In the latest, pre-training camp NFL power rankings from Touchdown Wire’s Mark Schofield, the Jags rank just 31st, ahead of only their divisional rival Houston.
The Jacksonville Jaguars entered this off-season with a ton of advantages over other organizations. Jacksonville had a ton of cap space at their disposal, and also enjoyed a bevy of draft capital which they put to good use. During free agency they added cornerback Shaquill Griffin and wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr., and of course you know their first selection in the draft, quarterback Trevor Lawrence. But Jacksonville also added running back Travis Etienne, tackle Walker Little, cornerback Tyson Campbell and safety Andre Cisco in the first two nights of the draft.
The biggest question facing the Jaguars? How quickly will these additions pay off? Could Jacksonville be better than expected given all these additions?
Schofield is clearly of the opinion that the team improved this offseason, but it seems he’s skeptical that the benefit of all those additions will be felt immediately.
The Jaguars aren’t the only AFC South team with a new quarterback he has questions for. He’s also not very high on the Indianapolis Colts, who he has ranked just 17th. Schofield does buy the Titans, who he ranks sixth in the NFL.
Jacksonville still has one of the youngest rosters in football, and 2021 will certainly be a rebuilding year of sorts. But the team also has potential, and it could be more competitive than some expect in Year 1 of the new regime.
