32 Teams in 32 Days: Jaguars No Longer Have the Element of Surprise on Their Side

With Calvin Ridley back on the field, Trevor Lawrence and Doug Pederson have all the pieces they need for Jacksonville to be a real contender.

Welcome to 32 teams in 32 days. To get us through the offseason, we’ll be taking a closer look at every team in the league, in order of projected 2023 win totals. Up next: the Jaguars.

Doug Pederson quickly cleaned up the mess left by Urban Meyer and turned the Jaguars into AFC South champions in 2022.

The Jaguars were ahead of schedule in their rebuilding project, but they had their struggles during Pederson’s first season as head coach. They needed a five-game winning streak to end the regular season with a 9–8 record and earn a playoff spot. And they did just that.

The Jaguars open the 2023 season on the road against the Colts :: Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union/USA TODAY Network (left); Maria Lysaker/USA TODAY Sports (center); Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports (right)

But what truly made Jacksonville’s surprising season special was the thrilling comeback playoff win against the Chargers (and then also pushing the Chiefs in the divisional round).

The Jaguars are for real, and Duval County has plenty to be excited about for the 2023 season. After a rocky rookie season, Trevor Lawrence has developed into a star quarterback, and he will have plenty of help on the offensive side with No. 1 wide receiver Calvin Ridley.

Biggest gamble this offseason: Quiet offseason after Ridley trade

Technically, the Jaguars’ biggest gamble (no pun intended) was trading for Ridley midway through the 2022 season, which Ridley missed completely because he was suspended for violating the league’s gambling policy while with the Falcons. This was part of why the Jaguars passed on making splash moves this offseason. (They were also limited with cap space after splurging the prior year in free agency.) Ridley could be the missing piece for Jacksonville to be a legitimate contender in the stacked AFC, and not just the pesky surprise team from a year ago. But adding Ridley doesn’t fill needs at other areas on the Jaguars’ roster, with question marks on the offensive line, and at edge rusher and linebacker. But if Ridley develops quick chemistry with Lawrence, the Jaguars could be a tough team to beat this season.

• Fantasy Insider Report: Jaguars Will See More TD Passes From Trevor Lawrence

Toughest stretch of the season: Weeks 13 to 15

Fortunately for the Jaguars, their toughest stretch only spans a few games. But it’s a gauntlet against three AFC North opponents, starting with a home matchup against Joe Burrow and the Bengals. (The December game has the makings to be one of the better games of the regular season, and could serve as a playoff preview.) The Jaguars then travel to Cleveland to face the Browns, who had a busy offseason making splash moves on both sides of the football. The Jaguars conclude the AFC North tour with a home game vs. Lamar Jackson and the Ravens. It wouldn’t be a surprise if the Jaguars, Bengals, Browns and Ravens are all postseason teams.

Breakout player to watch: S Andre Cisco

Cisco more than tripled his tackle count between his rookie year and 2022 :: Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union/USA TODAY Network

Cisco showed flashes as a surprise rookie gem from Meyer’s lone season in Jacksonville. Pederson noticed Cisco’s potential and made him a first-time starter last season. The 2021 third-round pick emerged as a consistent playmaker in the Jaguars’ secondary, and now he’s poised to be one of the better safeties in the league. Cisco recorded three interceptions, 10 passes defended, 73 tackles and had a touchdown return.

Linebacker Devin Lloyd is another option here, but the 2022 first-round pick struggled in many areas throughout his rookie year. He might not have a breakout season, but expect him to have a promising ’23.

Position of strength: Skill positions

Ridley admitted he played on a broken foot during the 2020 season, when he recorded a career-high 1,374 receiving yards in Atlanta. It was his unique way of saying he’s one of the best receivers in the NFL, when he’s on the field. If Ridley returns to top form, the Jaguars might have one of the best skill position groups in the league—one that includes the receiving trio of Ridley, Christian Kirk and Zay Jones. Last season, tight end Evan Engram also found his footing in Jacksonville after a few rocky seasons with the Giants. Plus, running back Travis Etienne, who can also contribute out of the backfield as a pass catcher, is coming off a breakout season after missing all of his rookie year due to injury.

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Position of weakness: Offensive line

When the Jaguars allowed offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor to join the Chiefs in free agency, it created plenty of uncertainty on the offensive line. Walker Little will take over as the starting right tackle, but the 2021 second-round pick has had many highs and lows in his six career starts. To make matters worse, left tackle Cam Robinson was recently suspended the first four games of the season for violating the league’s performance enhancing drug policy. The Jaguars’ offensive line will be shaky at times, forcing Lawrence to use his mobility to escape pressure.

X-factor: Edge rusher Travon Walker

Walker finished last season with 37 total tackles and six sacks :: Eric Hartline/USA TODAY Sports

Walker disappointed in his rookie season after being selected with the No. 1 pick of the 2022 draft. Nonetheless, if he’s able to make strides this offseason, the Jaguars could have one of the best defenses in the league. Josh Allen is a quality pass rusher, but the Jaguars are hoping to have two or three reliable players at the position with Walker and K’Lavon Chaisson (who has struggled since entering the league as a ’20 first-round pick).

Sleeper fantasy pick: RB Tank Bigsby

Bigsby isn’t going to usurp Etienne as the Jaguars’ top back, but he could be a valuable fantasy handcuff. There’s talk that the rookie could earn some early-down and goal-line opportunities, so he’s going to be well worth a late-round flier, especially if you draft Etienne. —Michael Fabiano, SI Fantasy

Best bet: Take the over on Trevor Lawrence’s 3975.5 passing yards

Lawrence took a huge step forward last season under the purview of Pederson, and there’s no reason he shouldn’t take another this season. Lawrence passed for 4,113 yards in 2022, and this year he will add Ridley to his arsenal. —Jennifer Piacenti, SI Betting

Final record: 12–5, first in AFC South