Training camp opens in roughly six weeks and Jacksonville will be a hot spot – literally and figuratively – for the media this summer. The Jaguars have been the darling of the offseason, adding two prized free agents before taking arguably the best two defensive prospects in the 2016 NFL Draft. For the first time in close to a decade, expectations are high in Jacksonville. Fans are looking for Gus Bradley and Blake Bortles to lead the team back into contention, and their quest to end an eight-year playoff drought begins with a strong performance in training camp.
1. Defensive Rookies and Injury Progress
The Jaguars were dealt a major blow last offseason when their first-round pick, Dante Fowler, tore his ACL during the first day of rookie minicamp. The injury sparked a new approach to introductory camp, though it didn’t deter Jacksonville from taking chance on another player with knee issues, Myles Jack, early in the 2016 draft. The recoveries of Fowler and Jack will be closely monitored throughout the offseason, and same goes for Jalen Ramsey. Last month the No. 5 overall pick had surgery to repair a small tear in the meniscus in his right knee, but he’s expected to be a full-participant for the start of training camp. The trio of young, highly touted defenders, tasked with paving the way for the unit for years to come, will certainly be a development to watch this summer. If their knees hold up and they reflect their college selves, then Jacksonville could be poised for Top 10 defense in 2016.
2. Impact of Free Agent Signees
Jacksonvilles’ draft has been well documented, but what’s largely gone unnoticed – at least by those outside North Florida – were the players the team added in March. After finishing as the 24th ranked defense in 2015 – 29th against the pass and 15th against the run – the Jags looked to supplement an already promising roster through free agency. In doing so, they bolstered their secondary by signing Taushan Gipson and made arguably the biggest splash when they inked defensive tackle Malik Jackson to a six-year, $90 million deal. Jackson, fresh off a dominating Super Bowl performance, will be expected to serve as a clog in the middle – an immovable force against the run and a slingshot for defensive ends rushing the passer – while Gipson is there to compliment Jalen Ramsey and Jonathan Cyprien in the back end. Not to mention the team added former first-round pick Price Amukamara, who struggled with injuries through his first few years in New York but still has potential in the secondary. Training camp will be the free agents’ first true test as they try to build chemistry with new teammates and have the same type of impact as they did with their previous clubs.
3. Blake Bortles Next Step
After the 2014 season in which then-rookie and No. 3 overall pick Blake Bortles threw for 2,908 yards with 11 touchdowns and 17 interceptions, the former USF Knight responded well in Year 2. With 4,428 yards and 35 touchdowns ranking him Top 10 in the league in both categories. Bortles proved himself as a legitimate leader with apparent potential. The supporting cast of Allen Hurns and Allen Robinson at wide receiver would seem to compliment his skill-set and development heading into his third campaign, to boot. But it’s on him now. He has to take the next step as a franchise quarterback, which means limiting the turnovers – his 18 INTs led the NFL – and taking full command of Greg Olson’s offense, one he’ll be entering his second year in. Taking that all-important “next step” starts this summer in camp. It’s time for Bortles to prove he has a complete understanding of the system, show great chemistry with his receivers and take full command of the offense heading into the preseason.
4. Luke Jockel’s Place On The Team
Once the No. 2 overall pick, Luke Joeckel hasn’t been the elite left tackle the Jaguars hoped he would develop into when they drafted him in 2013. Consequently, Jacksonville signed Kelvin Beachum away from Pittsburgh in the offseason, and if not for an ACL injury, the role of blindside tackle would’ve presumably been Beachum’s to lose. It may still be, leaving Joeckel, who’s in the last year of his rookie contract, to his final chance at left guard. By electing not to pick up Joeckel’s fifth-year option, the Jaguars created a prove-it type challenge in 2016 while leaving the possibility of a trade open, similar to when they shipped Eugene Monroe to Baltimore in 2013 for a few late-round draft picks. Joeckel said he considers himself to be a left tackle, but is open to a position switch if it’s best for the team. Considering his 15 sacks given up over the last two years at left tackle, it seems a shift inside may, in fact, be what’s best for the team. The battle along the left, and most important, side of the O-Line will be closely watched in training camp. It’ll begin Joeckel’s quest to remain in Jacksonville, a future he’s on record for saying he wants to earn.
5. Julius Thomas’ Hopeful Return To Pro Bowl Form
A prized free agent in 2015 after two productive seasons in Denver, Julius Thomas did not play up to his new, $46 million contract in Jacksonville last year, catching just 46 passes for 455 yards in 10 starts. While he showed flashes of his former self – four games with over 50 yards receiving – the 6-foot-5 target missed the first five weeks of the season with a broken hand and, when healthy and starting, rarely caught more than two passes in a game. Thomas, arguably the most athletic tight end in the league, must prove his past success wasn’t just a product of Peyton Manning’s system and that he can contribute to a promising Jags offense. That starts by staying healthy and developing chemistry with Blake Bortles this summer. Similar to his situation in Denver, Thomas has two talented wide receivers around him to take the pressure off, so excuses are limited. The sixth-year pro should get his share of open looks and targets in training camp, and if he can become the pass-catching threat the Jags hoped they had signed, this offense has unlimited potential.
