The Jacksonville Jaguars were a win away from the Super Bowl in the 2017 NFL season. 2018 was a major disappointment. The Jaguars went 5-11, finishing in last place in the AFC South.
What made the season so confusing was how few changes occurred. Blake Bortles was still the quarterback and Leonard Fournette was the running back. The defense was still mainly intact as well. That defense was one of the elites in 2017. The 2018 unit looked much more pedestrian.
In 2019, can the Jaguars turn the ship around and get back into the playoffs?
Here are five reasons why they can:
Nick Foles
This is the most obvious reason. No, Nick Foles isn't the quarterback to end all quarterbacks. He's a significant improvement from last year, though.
Last season, the Jaguars had Blake Bortles as their number one quarterback, with Cody Kessler getting some time as well.
Bortles completed 60.3% of his passes for 2,718 yards and 13 touchdowns with 11 interceptions. Kessler completed 64.5% of his passes for 709 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions.
Foles started five games. In that time he led the Philadelphia Eagles to a 4-1 record. He completed 72.3% of his passes for 1,413 yards and seven touchdowns with four interceptions.
He isn't an elite quarterback. However, he minimizes mistakes and has been a proven winner over the last two seasons.
No matter your opinion on him, it's hard not to see Nick Foles as a massive improvement over Bortles.
A Healthy Leonard Fournette
Last season the Jacksonville Jaguars had Leonard Fournette for only eight games. In that time, he struggled (3.3 yards per carry).
Fournette scored five touchdowns on the ground and caught 22 passes for 185 yards and another touchdown. He solidifies the ground game and will make life a lot easier for Foles.
Fournette has power but is extremely quick and shifty. If he gets in open space, opponents will have a rough time trying to catch up to him.
Can he stay healthy? Fournette appeared in 13 games in his rookie year before playing just eight last season.
NFL Draft
The Jaguars have seven picks in the upcoming NFL Draft. That includes two third-round picks and the seventh overall pick, which could yield immediate results.
Imagine if they go after a tight end (Noah Fant or T.J. Hockenson).
Getting one of those two would immediately clean up one of their weakest positions. Getting targets for Foles would also open up the offense in new ways.
Jacksonville has a lot of solid pieces in place. It proved in 2017 it can win with them.
Just a few fixes could bring the Jaguars back to glory. There's no reason to believe they will need years to recover from all their problems as the Cleveland Browns did.
Getting a weapon or two for Foles and some help on the offensive line would immediately make them a very formidable team.
Defense
The Jacksonville Jaguars' defense still has all the talent to be the toast of the NFL.
It's hard to find many NFL front sevens that stack up with Jacksonville's. Telvin Smith and Myles Jack are at linebacker. Marcell Dareus and Calais Campbell headline the defensive line.
The secondary has the best cornerback in football: Jalen Ramsey.
This defense will not only hold opposing offenses to limited points, but limited yards. It will give the Jacksonville offense fantastic field position.
Scoring could be a high possibility too. A defense that can produce points itself is extremely valuable and will take even more pressure off Foles.
Defense wins championships. The Jacksonville Jaguars have one of the best defenses in the league; they'll remind everyone of that in 2019.
The Emergence of Ronnie Harrison
Ronnie Harrison needs his own spot on this list.
Harrison has all the skills needed to become an elite NFL safety. Imagine him reaching his prime with Jalen Ramsey there to lock down receivers.
Harrison will wreak havoc all over the field. Harrison will have more freedom to cover deep in zones and contest jump-ball throws. He could go across the middle of the field, keeping receivers from feeling comfortable. He could run up to stop the run, plug a hole, or go after the quarterback.
Harrison's talent shined through on multiple occasions last season. He'll take the steps in 2019 to become an elite talent.
The Jacksonville Jaguars have a loaded defense. Ronnie Harrison's emergence is imminent. That's a recipe for a turnaround… and a return to the playoffs for Jacksonville.
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