Widely expected to breeze through the AFC South on their way to the playoffs, the Jacksonville Jaguars found themselves in an incredibly ugly spot last season, falling short of a shockingly good Houston Texans team and watching their playoff fates come down to Week 18 with everything on the line in a game they ultimately lost in an ugly fashion.
Fortunately, the Jaguars opted against resting on their laurels and decided to invest pretty heavily in new players all over their roster to take a step forward both in free agency and the draft, including a brand new wide receiver with seemingly endless potential and a defensive linemen who looks pretty similar to one of the organization's top additions in free agency. And the best part? These players actually went to the same college and have that Geaux Tiger mentality.
These rookies could be players for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2024.
2. Brian Thomas Jr. will push Gabe Davis and Christian Kirk for WR1
Coming out of LSU, Brian Thomas Jr. was one of the most controversial prospects in the NFL draft.
To some, he wasn't too far behind his fellow collegiate Tiger Malik Nabers in terms of upside, with a unique blend of size, speed, and length – standing 6-foot-3, 209 pounds with a 4.33 40 and 79.63 wingspan – that simply doesn't come around too often, while others questioned his playing style, as most of his production famously came on rudimentary routes like gos and curls.
Could BTJ cap out as a super-sized deep threat, producing a few big plays a year but being a frustrating presence that befuddles fans and angers his fantasy owners? Sure, but based on Doug Pederson's comments coming out of camp, it sure sounds like he likes what he's seeing from the young burner.
“He looked good. Really a smart guy, the things that we've introduced to him well he's picked up well, he's been able to retain it, recall it, and it looks smooth on the field,” Doug Pederson told reporters via Jaguar Report.
“We're going to continue to work, and there's some things we've got to work with that he didn't see in college defensively, that he's going to see here in the NFL so well continue to work with him on that. Again, just the amount of time he and Trevor [QB Trevor Lawrence] have throwing. I think Gabe [WR Gabe Davis] is in that same boat. They've all got to get on the same page.”
While Thomas may begin the season as WR3, if he can show an ability to get off of press, get himself open, and ultimately get himself in the good graces of Lawrence as a reliable go-to target, don't be surprised if his role continues to expand as the season goes on, with a true blue number one receiver as a rookie very much a real possibility, even with Davis and Christian Kirk already on the roster.
1. Maason Smith could push Roy Robertson-Harris
In 2023, the Jaguars' defensive front was anything but dominant, with Josh Allen proving why he deserved a massive contract and Travon Walker recording his first-ever 10-sack season, but not much production from their interior options.
In 2024, that interior presence should be much improved, not just via the addition of Arik Armstead, the former San Francisco 49ers stalwart who can play defensive tackle or defensive end, but also in the draft with Maason Smith, another LSU product who should immediately push Roy Robertson-Harris for a starting spot at defensive tackle.
Speaking with reporters about the new Jaguars defender, linebackers coach Matt House celebrated his abilities, noting that he's already impressed at practice with his hard work.
“Hard worker, obviously he's got measurable. He's a long guy but really likes to play practices hard. Like, I said, he's a sponge. [When] Coach Nielsen gets his hands on coach [Jeremy] Garrett, his best days are ahead of him,” Matt House told reporters via Black & Teal.
“It wasn't till the latter half of the season, maybe even into the latter quarter of the season. But coming back from that injury, that takes a while, and he missed some time and training camp. But when we first got there, he was unblockable the first spring and even into the first game before he got hurt.”
Coming off of an injury that cost him all but one game in 2022, Smith looked the part of an NFL starter in 2023, picking up 28 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, and two passes defensed at LSU. With inside-out versatility similar to Armstead, don't be surprised if the duo play a big part together in 2024 and are major parts of a much-improved pass rush this fall.
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