Despite the franchise being relatively young at 25 years of age, fans have gotten to witness many solid players play for the Jacksonville Jaguars. That’s especially the case when considering they found success early in their existence, which is a very rare occurrence.
That being said, to celebrate the NFL making it to season No. 100 and the Jags making it to year No. 25, here’s our list of the top 25 Jaguars:
(Note: We wanted to make the list about established veterans and historic players, so the list only includes players with 10 seasons of experience or more.)
25. CB Aaron Beasley (1996-2001)
While Tom Coughlin’s peak years with the Jags as a coach were known for offensive football, there were some solid players on defense who helped him to find success, too. Beasley was one of those players, and he came on particularly strong in the late 1990s for the veteran coach.
Although the Jags fell one game short of the Super Bowl during his best year, Beasley’s 1999 campaign in particular was about as strong as any you will find out of a cornerback in the team’s history as he racked up 66 tackles, a team high of six picks and a league high of 200 interception yards. Simply put, he was a game-changer that year (and in a few others) who made several impact plays on the season as the team went 14-2.
24. RB James Stewart III (1995-1999)
The Jags have been blessed to have several good running backs suit up for the franchise, and you can’t mention any of their top rushers without mentioning Stewart. Sure, he never had a 1,000-yard rushing season for the team, but he’s still third on the team’s all-time rushing yards (2,951) and touchdowns (33) lists. Additionally, he was the team’s rushing leader for 1996, 1998 and 1999.
Of course, the biggest game Steward ever had was his five-touchdown performance against the Eagles in 1997. It still stands as the most touchdowns and points scored by a player in a single game in Jags history.
23. OG Chris Naeole (2002-2009)
Again, the Jags’ bread and butter since coming into the league has been smash-mouth football, and Naeole embodied that just about as well as anyone. While with the Jags, the former Saints first-round pick was a key reason both Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew had success on the ground from 2006-07. He also was the ultimate ironman for the team, starting in all 87 games.
22. QB David Garrard (2002-2010)
While the Jags almost went to the Super Bowl with Blake Bortles under center, most would agree that Garrard is probably the team’s best-ever quarterback not named Mark Brunell. Sure, the Jags didn’t have a lot of success after 2007, when he officially became their starter, but Garrard ended his career with several team records, including the highest career (85.8), single-season (102.2 in 2007) and single-game (157.8 in 2012 vs. Cowboys) passer ratings in franchise history.
21. TE Kyle Brady (1999-2006)
Brady wasn’t necessarily the flashiest tight end (especially by today’s standards and passing stats), but he made key plays in the passing game when the Jags needed someone to step up. At 6 feet 6, 278 pounds, not only was he a can’t-miss target, but more importantly he was the best blocking tight end in the team’s history. That was huge for the Jags, who had guys like Jones-Drew and Taylor late in Brady’s career, both of whom had great success rushing on the edge just as well as between the tackles.
20. K Josh Scobee (2004-2014)
He’s a fan favorite to this day, and it isn’t hard to see why. Aside from being a very lovable person for the Jacksonville community, he also owns every major Jags kicking record, including field goals made (61), longest field goal made (59 yards), franchise points (1,022) and several others.
It goes without saying that he’s most known for being the Colts-killer, but in Indy’s defense, he was clutch even outside of his battles with them. When the Jags needed a game-winner, nobody doubted Scobee’s ability — he was automatic regardless of the team, stadium or weather conditions.
19. OG Vince Manuwai (2003-2010)
Just like Chris Naeole, the late Manuwai defines everything the Jags stand for in the trenches. The 312-pound mauler could move any player off the line when he wanted to. Manuwai rarely missed games for the Jags, playing in 111 games and starting in 105 over the course of eight seasons. When looking at his resume it’s quite stunning that he didn’t make a single Pro Bowl roster, which is why most Jags fans tend to label him as one of the team’s most underappreciated players in team history.
18. LB Kevin Hardy (1996-2001)
When fans think of some of the most freakish athletes to ever suit up for the Jags, Hardy definitely comes to mind. At 6-4 and 259 pounds, Hardy was a madman when it came to pursuing the ball carrier, whether away from the line of scrimmage or at it.
Hardy was the No. 2 overall pick of the 1996 draft, and by the time his career ended, he had played in a total of 83 games over the course of six years with the team, accumulating 506 tackles and 28.5 sacks. He also earned Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors in 1999, which was the second year the Jags made it to the AFC championship game under Coughlin.
17. LB Mike Peterson (2003-2008)
Peterson may have been undersized at 6-1 and 226 pounds, but he certainly didn’t play like it, accumulating 543 tackles, 15 sacks and 32 tackles for loss over the course of six years in Jacksonville. From 2003-2008, he was the leader for some of the franchise’s most dominant defenses.
Unfortunately, like many overlooked Jags, he didn’t receive a single trip to the Pro Bowl, although he did receive second-team All-Pro honors in 2005. Still, it would’ve been nice to see him get his due, so the best we could do for him was rightfully place him in the top 25.
16. SS Donovin Darius (1998-2006)
Most Jags fans would agree that Darius may have been the hardest hitter in team history, but there was much more to his game than that. As it stands, he’s third on the franchise’s all-time list for tackles (470), pass breakups (46) and interceptions (14). Darius was a crucial part of the Jags’ nucleus on defense for nearly a decade (1998-2006).
15. OT Leon Searcy (1996-1999)
Alongside Tony Boselli, Searcy helped lead the Jaguars offensive line in the late 90s under Coughlin. He paved many paths for some of the team’s most notable tailbacks like Stewart, Taylor and Natrone Means, while also keeping the heat off Mark Brunell.
Another tidbit worth noting when looking at Searcy’s time as a Jag is the fact that he was an ironman throughout his four years with the team, starting in all 63 regular-season games in which he was on the roster. He also was available for all 15 of their postseason games over that span and earned Pro Bowl honors in 1999, which was his last year with the team.
14. C Brad Meester (2000-2013)
When he retired, Meester was the only player to play for every head coach in the team’s history at the time, having suited up for Coughlin (2000-2002), Jack Del Rio (2003-2011), Mike Mularkey (2012) and Gus Bradley (2013) throughout his 14-year career. Of course, with that distinction came 209 games in which Meester took the field, the most of any Jaguar in history.
Like some of the names mentioned before him on the offensive line, Meester was a key part of the success MJD and Taylor had on the ground. While playing alongside Meester, Taylor was able to get a Pro Bowl nod (2007), while MJD received multiple Pro Bowl nods (2009-2011) and was named an All-Pro (2011).
13. LB Daryl Smith (2004-2012)
Smith may perhaps be the most underrated and underappreciated player in Jags history as he did a lot of the dirty work for the Jags for nearly a decade. Currently, he’s the team’s second-leading all-time tackler with 678 to his name, and No. 12 on our list is the only player in Jags history to accumulate more in the category. During his nine-year tenure in Jacksonville, Smith also proved to be one of Jack Del Rio’s most versatile players as he had a great deal of success at Mike linebacker and at outside linebacker under the veteran coach’s tutelage.
12. LB Paul Posluszny (2011-2017)
Posluszny is a player whose impact and leadership is still missed on the Jags’ roster. He currently holds the franchise record for all-time tackles with 586, and that record may stand for a while if Telvin Smith (445 tackles) doesn’t eventually return. He is a player who holds a special place in a lot of the younger fans’ hearts because he willed the team through some dark times during his seven years in Jacksonville.
11. DT John Henderson (2002-2009)
Jags fans will always recognize Henderson as half of the best defensive tackle duo in team history alongside Marcus Stroud. Meanwhile, the casual fans will always recognize him for his infamous “slap me” pregame ritual. Regardless, everyone knows Henderson was a force for the Jags in his prime. While playing for the Jags, he made a killing behind the line of scrimmage and is the team’s all-time leader in tackles for loss (58).
10. DT Marcus Stroud (2001-2007)
You can’t mention one defensive tackle without the other, and Stroud was Henderson’s partner in crime for six dominant seasons. In fact, the pair was arguably the best defensive tackle duo in football during the early-to-mid-2000s.
Stroud was known to be one of the Jags’ most energetic players, and that transferred to his performance on the field and boosted his teammates as well. By the time his career ended, he had accumulated 274 tackles, 22 sacks and 43 tackles for loss. That was good enough to earn him three consecutive Pro Bowl trips from 2003-2005.
9. DE Tony Brackens (1996-2003)
Brackens might be the most game-changing defender in the team’s history. In fact, most would say his presence alone helped Coughlin and Co. win a handful of games.
Brackens is a player who would absolutely fit in when looking at today’s pass-happy league as he could do it all, from coverage to sacking the quarterback to impacting run plays. That’s exactly why he remains atop the team’s all-time list in sacks with 55 and forced fumbles with 27.
8. CB Rashean Mathis (2003-2012)
Without a doubt, Mathis is the best defensive back to don teal, although Jalen Ramsey will eventually take that title. Mathis has the franchise’s all-time record for interceptions, defensive yards and pass breakups by a sizable amount with 30, 512 and 104, respectively. He also tied for the No. 1 spot for all-time defensive touchdowns with Telvin Smith with three.
Like Brackens, he made big plays when it counted the most, and did so through some of the best and worst moments in franchise history. A lot of his picks came against big-time rivals like the Steelers and Titans, which is why he’s worthy of a top-10 spot on the list.
Oh yeah, and did I mention he’s a hometown talent, too?
7. DL Calais Campbell (2017-present)
Sure, he’s only been with the team for two seasons, but he’s been beyond impactful over the course. By the time 2019 ends, it’s possible he’ll be No. 2 on the team’s all-time sack list (a record held by Joel Smeenge with 34) as he currently has 25 to his name as a Jag.
Another big reason Campbell deserves to make the list is that he’s making an impact from multiple positions on the defensive line, a category where the Jags have traditionally been strong. Had he been drafted by the Jags, he’d clearly hold all of their major defensive line records based off what we’ve seen in two years.
6. WR Keenan McCardell (1996-2001)
McCardell is half of the Jags’ top receiving duo in history alongside Jimmy Smith, and the things they did together still astonish Jags fans to this day. McCardell, who is now a position coach for the Jags, is second on the team’s all-time receiving list (6,393 yards) and third in receiving touchdowns (30).
While most will be quick to praise Smith as the best wide receiver in Jags history, his success wouldn’t be possible without McCardell, who did all of the dirty work in the middle of the field and moved the chains as a key possession guy. He also has often been called the best route runner in team history.
5. QB Mark Brunell (1995-2003)
Brunell was the QB during the team’s glory days and finished his career with all of the team’s major passing records, including yards (25,698), touchdowns (144) and completions (2,184).
Interestingly enough, he’d fit in perfectly with the NFL today — he was a sneaky-good rusher, accumulating 2,219 yards, which is the most of any quarterback in franchise history. All that said, it’s probably going to be a while before the Jags find someone who can start knocking down all of Brunell’s major records.
4. RB Maurice Jones-Drew (2006-2013)
MJD was an electric rusher who provided Jags fans with some of the best highlights in team history. Believe it or not, he holds the team record for rushing touchdowns with 68, even beating out Fred Taylor in the category (65) even though Taylor played for the Jags much longer than Jones-Drew.
Unsurprisingly, Jones-Drew is second on the Jags’ all-time rushing list with 8,071 yards, and for the most part, watching him accumulate those yards was fun. He also proved to be a dynamic kickoff returner, finishing his career with 2,054 yards and two touchdowns in the category. While those numbers may not prove to make him worthy of the Hall of Fame, he certainly deserves to be in the Pride of the Jags alongside greats like Taylor, Tony Boselli and Mark Brunell, to name a few.
3. OT Tony Boselli (1995-2001)
It’s a travesty that he continues to fall just short of making the Pro Football Hall of Fame year after year — he was arguably the best left tackle of the late 1990s. He shut down Hall of Famers like Jason Taylor and Bruce Smith in the process and greatly helped Mark Brunell, Jimmy Smith and Fred Taylor dominate during their prime.
Players like Terrell Davis and Kenny Easley proved that having a short career should not be an issue, and many seem optimistic that he’ll get into the Hall of Fame.
2. WR Jimmy Smith (1995-2005)
Smith is not just a player worthy of being high on this list, but he’s also worthy of being in the conversation as a Hall of Famer. Off-the-field issues from his past got in the way of consideration for Canton, but he seems to have turned his life around and deserves another look.
Even casual fans would agree that he was a joy to watch in the late 1990s and early 2000s. He had a period in the late ’90s when he played on a Jerry Rice-like level and found himself in five consecutive Pro Bowls. He couldn’t be stopped on a vertical route in his prime and burned defenses in his sleep when it came to deep balls.
He holds nearly every major receiving record for the Jags, including yards (12,287), receptions (862) and touchdowns (67). At the start of the 2019 season, he’s the No. 23-ranked player on the NFL’s all-time receiving list, ahead of Hall of Famers like Michael Irvin and Charlie Joiner.
1. RB Fred Taylor (1998-2008)
We put him atop our list because he played a very physically demanding position in a time when tailbacks took a beating in the trenches. He also has longevity in his favor over Tony Boselli as he played for the Jags for a full decade and registered over 1,000 yards rushing seven times. Unfortunately, that only led to one Pro Bowl trip in 2007, which proves how underrated he was.
He owns all of the major rushing records for the Jags, including yards (11,271). That’s also good for No. 17 on the NFL’s all-time list, where he’s ahead of Hall of Famers like O.J. Simpson, Earl Campbell and Jim Taylor.
