The Jacksonville Jaguars enter this year as they have so many times—too many times—in the past: filled with hope, optimism, and an early, promising draft pick after coming off a disappointing season. It's been the storyline for Jaguars fans for too long. Maybe this coach will fix it, or this draft pick, or this free agent signing.
That's not to besmirch the offseason acquisitions. Head coach Liam Coen—despite his lackluster "Duval" to start things off—looks like the real deal. New general manager James "Intangibly Rich" Gladstone (I told you I'd change his nickname) seems to have made all the right moves. And who doesn't love executive vice president of football operations Tony Boselli?
Either way, as fans start reading those ever-triggering weekly NFL power rankings, there should be little surprise where the Jaguars find themselves.
Related: Unexpected Jaguars UDFA makes shocking appearance on All-Rookie team
The Jaguars popped up at an abysmal 28th in an NFL power rankings
At first glance, Mike Florio's power rankings seem fair. Jacksonville is 28th on the list, which is fifth from the bottom, right where they ended last season. But the Tennessee Titans are 27th, and if there's one thing Jaguars fans hate, it's the Titans. So, Florio clearly didn't just regurgitate draft order; he took into account offseason acquisitions, drafts, and preseason performances.
I don't want to knock rookie and No. 1 overall draft pick Cam Ward. As Florio says, "Cam Ward is the real deal." At least, he certainly looks like (and I'm never wrong, except when I'm wrong). And he places the Jaguars hope exactly where it belongs: "It all comes down to whether Trevor Lawrence can become what, after two seasons, it seemed like he was starting to be." So, it's not as if Florio is taking unnecessary shots at Jacksonville.
I do have one complaint, and I don't want to sound like I'm making excuses like a Justin Herbert fan (how many times have we heard "He just needs weapons?"), but Lawrence played injured for two seasons. Yes, 2024 looked gross even before Azzeez Al-Shaair ended his season (and seemed to be trying to end his life).
But the tail end of 2023 didn't start unraveling until Lawrence and then Jaguars wide receiver Christian Kirk were injured. We've yet to see the promised prince slinging the football to a fully developed Brian Thomas Jr., not even mentioning rookie Travis Hunter. I think Jacksonville warrants better than 28—or, at the very least, better than the Titans.
Related:Trevor Lawrence and Travis Hunter already have comically good chemistry for Jaguars
Final thoughts
So, is ranking Jacksonville 28th fair? Maybe, maybe not, but the Jaguars haven't yet shown they deserve any better. The team has a lot of young talent looking to prove themselves—Travis Hunter, third-year veterans Parker Washington and Brenton Strange, and a running back room stacked with young, emerging players.
The season starts soon. Hope and optimism are great in the offseason, but it's almost "prove it" time. Will the Jaguars come through? Or should fans expect another disappointing season?
Here are other Jaguars stories you may also like: