2014 Jaguars NFL Handicapping
Jaguars Still A Year Away Despite Being Headed In Right Direction
Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley entered a nightmare situation when he took the job in 2013. Considering what he dealt with, it’s pretty impressive that his team went 4-12.
2014 Jacksonville Jaguars Team Preview/Predictions
- 2013 Record: 4-12
- ATS Record: 5-10-1
2014 Jaguars Futures
- Super Bowl Odds: +17500
- Conference Odds: +10000
- AFC South Odds: +1500
- 2014 Regular Season Wins: Over 4.5
Jacksonville lost each of its seven games against playoff teams by at least 16 points but went 4-4 over its final eight games to set a foundation of optimism to build on moving forward.
The Jaguars were active this offseason as they added a strong group of talent through both free agency and the draft and while they might not be ready to challenge for a playoff spot just yet, Caldwell has this team headed in the right direction.
Caldwell and his staff made perhaps their most important decision so far when they opted to make Blake Bortles their franchise quarterback by taking him third-overall in this year’s NFL Draft.
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Bortles is not expected to start right away, but Chad Henne has never inspired confidence as a starting NFL quarterback, so the rookie could get the nod at some point in the season.
Whoever starts at quarterback will have plenty of options to throw to with Ace Sanders and Cecil Shorts both back in the mix and joined by rookies Marqise Lee and Allen Robinson after they were selected in the second and third rounds respectively. The chemistry won’t come easy but in time this group has the potential to be very good.
The problem is that the Jaguars’ running game is also in transition after longtime starter Maurice Jones Drew left in the offseason and was replaced by Toby Gerhart, who has never been a full-time starter.
Rookie third-round pick guard Brandon Linder is expected to start right away on the right side, while last year’s first-overall pick tackle Luke Joeckel starts next to Zane Beadles as the strength of the line on the left side.
The Jacksonville offense has plenty of potential, but the lack of an established run game hurts, and it will take time for the pass game to come together.
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The Jaguars also need to get better on the defensive side of the ball where they finished tied for 27th in total defense a year ago. Jacksonville didn’t address its defense until the fourth round of the draft with cornerback Aaron Colvin and the real problems exist in the front-seven.
Colvin is expected to slide in behind Alan Ball, Dwayne Greatz, and Will Blackmon on the cornerback depth chart in a solid but unspectacular group, while Winston Guy and Johnathan Cyprien return as the starting safeties.
Middle linebacker Paul Posluszny is an absolute beast, but there are concerns about Geno Hayes’ ability on the outside after knee surgery, while veteran Dekoda Watson gets a chance to start after coming over from Tampa Bay.
Improving against the run will be key up front, and Bradley added former Seahawks tackle Red Bryant and end Chris Clemons as commodities that he has already worked with in Seattle.
Sen’Derrick Marks is a big body that can help clog the middle, but Jacksonville needs more from its pass rush and will rely on Clemons, Jason Babin, and 2010 first-round pick Tyson Alualu to be better.
The fact that Bradley was able to lead this team to four wins a year ago is impressive and he definitely has this franchise headed in the right direction. It will take time though, and the Jaguars will go through a tough transition year as they try and build on their foundation.
Look for Jacksonville to play some close games against good teams, but ultimately they will struggle to win games and once again finish near the bottom of the AFC South.
2014 Jaguars Predictions
- Place they’ll finish in AFC South: 3rd
- Place they’ll finish in AFC Conference: 15th
- Over/Under Wins Prediction: UNDER
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