Welcome to the 2016 NFL Preview. Every weekday from now until opening night, we will preview the 2016 NFL Season. Next week’s schedule: Baltimore (Monday), San Francisco (Tuesday), Miami (Wednesday), Chicago (Thursday), New York Giants (Friday).
The Jaguars have not had a winning season since 2007, the last time they made the playoffs. Jacksonville has 14 wins over the past four seasons. Needless to say, it doesn’t take much to improve on their recent history. The Jags are starting to put some pieces together, but they are likely a year away.
The makings of a dynamic offense Blake Bortles made strides in 2015, his second full season. His 35 touchdown passes were second in league, one behind NFL leader Tom Brady. Allen Hurns and Allen Robinson both had 1,000 yard seasons last year and Julius Thomas is a top tight end. Coach Gus Bradley is reluctant to give TJ Yeldon the keys to the backfield so he will split tile with Chris Ivory, who had his first 1,000 yard rushing season in New York last year. The pieces are here to put up a lot of points in 2016. Unfortunately, they are going to have to.
The defense is nowhere near dynamic At least they were not last year. Unlike other teams, the Jags spent the offseason trying to correct that for 2016. They threw big money signing Malik Jackson away from Denver. Their first two draft picks are atop the depth chart already. Myles Jack & Jalen Ramsey. Last years top pick, Dante Fowler Jr is back from a knee injury. That’s four new starters right off the bat. Jacksonville got younger and quicker. It’s a matter of meshing as a unit.
It all sounds good so far, so what’s the problem? The offensive stats are misleading. 23 of the 35 passing TD’s last season occurred in the second half of games, 14 in the fourth quarter. Bortles was the king of garbage time last season, and the Jags threw a lot because they were always behind. It’s one thing to put together great offensive numbers,but winning in the NFL is a totally different beast. That should be the next step in their learning process this season.
Fantasy focus Jacksonville is a fantasy gold mine this year. Borltes is shooting up the charts and is in the 7-10 range in quarterbacks this season. I’m ok with him there, I generally wait on QB’s but anytime after round 5 or 6 is a good value for him. Allen Robinson is a true #1 on your squad well worth the high pick. Today, Allen Hurns is underrated. His average ranking of 29th is way too low. He has no business being below John Brown, Jordan Matthews, or Emmanuel Sanders. He’s rock solid as a # 2 so keep an eye on him if he drops in your draft.
Prediction A year of learning and seasoning on the defensive side of the ball is all that is standing in their way. I’ve said all along the Jags are a year away. Things are looking up in Jacksonville. 7-9