The Jacksonville Jaguars are coming off of an incredibly disappointing season, which was why the 2024 offseason was an absolutely pivotal one for them.
The Jaguars were expected to be legitimate contenders in the AFC in 2023, and early on, they appeared to be on that track. They began the season 8-3 and really looked like they could challenge for conference supremacy. However, they ended up losing five of their last six games to finish 9-8 and miss the playoffs entirely.
That came a year after Jacksonville won the AFC South and defeated the Los Angeles Chargers in the Wild Card Round.
So, 2023 was definitely a step back for the Jags.
The question is, is there enough talent on this roster for the Jaguars to bounce back in 2024?
So long as Trevor Lawrence rebounds after a tough third season, there probably is. Plus, while the AFC South is competitive, it's not a particularly grueling division. Yes, any of the four teams can win the division crown, but it's not like it's the AFC North.
Still, the Jaguars had a rather underwhelming free-agent period and were not able to improve like the Houston Texans or Tennessee Titans, two of their AFC South rivals.
Their biggest move was also their riskiest one: signing Gabe Davis to a three-year, $39 million deal.
Why is Gabe Davis a risky signing for the Jaguars?
It's not that Davis is a bad player. Far from it. He is actually a solid receiver and did a fine job as the No. 2 wide out behind Stefon Diggs with the Buffalo Bills. However, his lack of consistency definitely made him a frustrating receiver to watch.
There are days where Davis looks unstoppable (like when he scored four touchdowns against the Kansas City Chiefs in the playoffs a couple of years ago). But then, there are times where Davis is essentially invisible. Those extreme highs and lows are not exactly what you want from a pass-catcher you are paying $13 million annually.
But here's the biggest issue: the Jaguars let Calvin Ridley walk in the process, and to the Titans, of all places.
Yes, I understand that Ridley landing a massive four-year, $92 million contract. That's a lot of money for a guy who is very good, but not really elite. But given how much Lawrence struggled with Ridley last season, you would think Jacksonville would have made a bigger effort to retain him, especially if it were just going to turn around and give Davis that deal.
Who knows? Maybe Ridley just didn't want to return to the Jags. Or, maybe the Jaguars just didn't want to match Tennessee's offer. That's understandable, but it doesn't make the Davis signing any less risky.
Davis has never had a 1,000-yard campaign. He has never registered 900 yards, either. He topped out at 836 yards in 2022, and this past season, he finished with 746 yards. Over his first two seasons in 2020 and 2021, the 25-year-old recorded under 600 yards both times.
We know Davis isn't a No. 1, and Jacksonville probably isn't expecting that from him. Right now, Christian Kirk is penciled in as the top receiver on the depth chart, although he isn't really a true No. 1, either. Perhaps incoming rookie Brian Thomas Jr. will emerge early on, and let's say he does. Suddenly, Davis could end up being the No. 3. That's a lot of dough to pay for a No. 3 wide out.
There is no question that Davis has big-play ability and he really stretches the field. However, it's not like he the Jaguars are going to suddenly unlock something with him. If Josh Allen couldn't do that for Davis in Buffalo, I don't think Lawrence will in Jacksonville.
The Davis signing almost seemed like a panic move for a Jags front office that likely knew it was losing Ridley. The Jaguars figured they had to do something, especially after such a miserable finish in 2023. So, they turned around and gave Davis a fairly hefty deal for a guy who is really just a decent player (who doesn't have the greatest hands).
Follow Us
Subscribe
