The 2021 season for Jacksonville Jaguars could hardly have gone worse. From NFL rules violations to viral nightlife videos to a terrible on-field product, Shad Khan did not lack reasons to make a coaching change this year. But the truth is, none of that past drama will matter if the Jaguars got the quarterback pick right. If Trevor Lawrence makes a huge jump from Year 1 to Year 2, the Jaguars will find that the NFL is not actually an impossible riddle to solve. Of course, that’s a big if. Let’s break down the Jaguars’ offseason, their pending free agents, team needs, and 2022 NFL Draft picks.
Jacksonville Jaguars 2022 Offseason Preview
Lawrence was one of the most inefficient passers in all of football as a rookie. Only four QBs provided less value to their offense this season, according to Pro Football Network’s Offensive Value Metric. The offense’s performance was largely to blame for the Jaguars’ terrible season. The defense, led by DE Josh Allen, was good enough to keep the Jaguars in many of their games. The coaching, Lawrence, and the offense at large weren’t consistently good enough to flip close losses into close wins.
Injuries certainly played a role. First-round running back Travis Etienne didn’t play a down, and Pro Bowl wide receiver DJ Chark missed most of the year. But scheme and execution were significant factors, too. The Jaguars need an identity. The good news is they have more than enough resources to build one in the coming months.
Jaguars have $70.7 million in projected cap space
Source: Spotrac (as of Jan. 9)
The Jaguars will be able to compete financially for any player they want. Only the Miami Dolphins ($75.0 million) and Los Angeles Chargers ($71.6 million) are projected to have more cap space. But Jacksonville could push their figure to over $100 million if they deem it necessary. Cutting Myles Jack, who was a disappointment in 2021, would save the team an additional $8.3 million.
Center Brandon Linder was solid, but is he worth the $10 million owed? None of that is guaranteed. The Jaguars’ issue won’t be an inability to afford 2022 free agents. It’ll be identifying the right ones and convincing them to join a franchise that has had one winning season since 2007.
Jaguars’ 2022 pending free agents
The Jaguars had a ton of issues in 2021. The offensive line wasn’t near the top of that list. But that could change in a hurry with a couple of their best players — tackle Cam Robinson and guard Andrew Norwell — set to hit free agency. Guard A.J. Cann, who missed all but four games due to a broken ankle, is also on an expiring contract.
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Spotrac estimates that Robinson would fetch a four-year, $46.6 million contract on the open market. Chark was Jacksonville’s most promising playmaker before he got hurt, and his contract is up as well. Defensive tackle Taven Bryan is another significant name to watch.
How do the Jaguars’ free agents rank among the best available in 2022? Be sure out our list of top free agents available at each position to find out.
Jaguars’ team needs
A bad roster translated into a bad team, and the Jaguars simply didn’t have any elite playmakers, particularly after the injuries for Etienne and Chark. Jacksonville needs people who can score touchdowns and stop the opposing team from scoring touchdowns. But if there’s a mass exodus on the offensive line, priority No. 1 this offseason will be protecting Lawrence.
Before they even consider their needs from an on-field perspective, the Jaguars need to get their coaching search right. The Jaguars appear linked with mostly offensive-minded, quarterback-guru-type coaches. They have been linked to the likes of Doug Pederson and Jim Caldwell, as well as former Texans head coach Bill O’Brien.
Jaguars’ top five needs in the 2022 NFL offseason
- Offensive line
- Linebacker
- Defensive tackle
- Wide receiver
- Tight end
Jaguars’ 2022 NFL Draft picks
The Jaguars will be picking in the top five for the eighth time in the last 11 years. Of the previous seven, only Jalen Ramsey made the Pro Bowl for Jacksonville, and only Blake Bortles made it to a second contract. Then there’s cornerback C.J. Henderson, the ninth pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, who lasted all of 17 months before being traded to Carolina.
None of those past mistakes are on general manager Trent Baalke, who looks set to remain. Nonetheless, here’s how the Jaguars’ 2022 NFL Draft picks stand according to the current NFL Draft order.
- Round 1 (Pick 1)
- Round 2 (Pick 1)
- Round 3 (Pick 1 & Pick 6 — from CAR)
- Round 4 (Pick 1)
- Round 5 (Pick 14 — from MIN)
- Round 6 (Pick 1, Pick 9 — from SEA, Pick 18 — from PHI, and Pick 19 — from PIT)
- Round 7 (Pick 1 & Pick 14 — from BAL)
