The Jacksonville Jaguars floundered down the stretch last season. They began the 2023 season 8-3 and in cruise control of the AFC South. But that goodwill they built didn't last as they ended the year 1-5 and out of the playoffs entirely. They hope to change that this season. If the Jaguars are going to change their fate, they are going to need contributions from everywhere on the team. A couple of gems on the Jaguars' 2024 roster who can help with that include Parker Washington and Cam Little.

A sleeper slot receiver in Parker Washington

Parker Washington did not get a bunch of playing time to begin the 2023 season as a sixth-round pick. The former Penn State Nittany Lion was not active for Jacksonville's first three games of the season and never exceeded 15% of the team's offensive snaps in the next eight games. But, opportunity soon arrived for Washington and he made the most of it.

Christian Kirk got injured in the first quarter of Jacksonville's Week 13 bout against the Cincinnati Bengals. His absence in the slot created a chance for Washington to fill his hefty shoes. Washington did so by catching all six of the targets thrown his way for 61 yards, with one of those receptions going for a touchdown.

Washington never lit the world on fire in college, but Penn State did not have a lethal aerial attack during his time there. His numbers were solid overall, however, especially in 2021. He caught 64 passes for 820 yards and four scores. Washington did that despite playing second fiddle to eventual first-round pick Jahan Dotson.

Washington's production slowed down a bit after his breakout performance against the Bengals. He caught just 10 passes for 71 yards and a touchdown in the Jaguars' next five games.

However, he showed what he was capable of if Jacksonville were ever to need him. Washington is unlikely to start many games with Kirk, Brian Thomas Jr., and Gabe Davis topping the Jaguars' depth chart. But it wouldn't be a shock to see him get playing time and produce. He is one to keep an eye on.

Cam Little: the new kicker of the future?

Kickers are people too, and Jacksonville should hope that the new one they got can stabilize that position. Eight different players have kicked for the Jaguars dating back to the 2020 season. In that span, only Matthew Wright in 2021 made more than 86% of his field goal attempts in a given season. None of those eight exceeded a 90% conversion rate.

Kicker has been a sore spot for the Jaguars for a while, and that was especially the case last season. Brandon McManus missed a field goal in the fourth quarter of that Week 13 match against the Bengals, which was costly. Jacksonville ended up losing that game in overtime. If he makes that kick, the Jaguars' season could've looked very differently.

Jacksonville had to upgrade at that position and appears to have done so. They drafted former Arkansas Razorback kicker Cam Little in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Little was automatic for the Hogs during his career in Fayetteville. Though his 82.8% conversion rate on field goal attempts leaves some to be desired, he made all of his extra points in college and was 4-5 on 50+ yard kicks in 2023.

Every team needs a great kicker to help them win games. The Jaguars haven't had that in a long time, but could have one now in Little. He could be a gem in the kicking department on the Jaguars' roster for 2024 and beyond.