This article is part of our Team Previews series.
Jacksonville Jaguars 
Urban Meyer came out of retirement and will try his hand in the NFL after 17 years as a head coach in the college ranks. The Jaguars also hired a new GM in Trent Baalke. An active foray in free agency and a high-profile draft provides optimism, despite last year's 1-15 record.
Offseason Moves
Key Acquisitions
- Trevor Lawrence – QB (Rd. 1, No. 1 – Clemson)
A much-anticipated No. 1 overall pick brings hope to the franchise.
- Travis Etienne – RB (Rd. 1, No. 25 – Clemson)
The explosive back accompanies his college signal-caller to the NFL.
- Marvin Jones – WR (from Lions)
Provides a legitimate downfield threat opposite DJ Chark.
- Chris Manhertz – TE (from Panthers)
Has logged just 12 career receptions as a blocking specialist.
- Shaquill Griffin – CB (from Seahawks)
Had six interceptions, 48 pass defenses over four years in Seattle.
- Rayshawn Jenkins – S (from Chargers)
Started 31 games with five picks over the past two seasons.
Key Losses
- Chris Conley – WR (to Texans)
Totaled 1,246 receiving yards, seven TDs in two years with the Jags.
- Keelan Cole – WR (to Jets)
Moves on after posting 55 catches for 642 yards and five TDs in 2020.
A Look Under the Hood
Head Coach: Urban Meyer (Year 1)
Offensive Coordinator: Darrell Bevell (Year 1)
Defensive Coordinator: Joe Cullen (Year 1) - 3-4 scheme
2021 Vegas Projected Wins: 6 (T-29th)
2020 Record: 1-15
2020 Points Scored: 306 (30th)
2020 Points Allowed: 492 (31st)
2020 Point Differential: -186 (31st)
2020 Run-Play Rate: 33.8 percent (32nd)
2020 Offensive Snaps: 997 (24th)
2020 PFF O-Line Ranking: No. 22
Projected 2021 Depth Chart
QB: Trevor Lawrence / Gardner Minshew / C.J. Beathard
RB: Travis Etienne / James Robinson / Carlos Hyde / Dare Ogunbowale
WR1: DJ Chark / Collin Johnson
WR2: Marvin Jones / Phillip Dorsett
WR3: Laviska Shenault / Jamal Agnew
TE: Chris Manhertz / James O'Shaughnessy / Luke Farrell
O-Line: LT Cam Robinson / LG Andrew Norwell / C Brandon Linder / RG A.J. Cann / RT Jawaan Taylor (RotoWire Rank: No. 21)
Kicker: Josh Lambo
Top Storylines
Changing of the Guard with Lawrence On Board
The Jaguars went in a new direction with both the front office and coaching staff after last season, so it truly will be a fresh start for the franchise with Trevor Lawrence under center in 2021. The 6-6, 213-pound signal-caller possesses elite arm strength and accuracy, having started 36 games over three seasons at Clemson after taking over the job as a true freshman. In that span, he compiled a 34-2 record while completing 66.6 percent of his passes for 10,098 yards, 90 touchdowns and 17 interceptions. Lawrence also rushed for 943 yards and 18 scores, despite sacks counting as negative rushing yards.
The Jaguars averaged 19.1 points per game last season with Gardner Minshew, Mike Glennon and Jake Luton helming the offense, but this year's attack will be unrecognizable with the introduction of a player considered to be a generational talent. DJ Chark and Marvin Jones form a strong duo as Jacksonville's outside receivers, while James Robinson and Travis Etienne provide a nice one-two backfield punch. The offensive line returns the same core players from 2020, and while it isn't necessarily a strength, it shouldn't be an overwhelming hurdle for Lawrence. The young quarterback figures to go through his share of rookie struggles as he adapts to the NFL, but he has the weapons to be immediately fantasy relevant.
Robinson and Etienne in the Backfield
James Robinson was a relative unknown in advance of training camp last year, but he turned into a fantasy powerhouse once he received a chance to start following Leonard Fournette's release. Robinson began the season primarily handling early-down work but quickly moved into a true lead role. The 5-9, 219-pounder seemed primed for a similarly productive sophomore campaign in Jacksonville's revamped offense, but that notion changed when Travis Etienne was selected 25th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft.
The dynamic back averaged 7.2 yards per carry in four seasons at Clemson and also caught 102 passes for 1,155 yards. Robinson had decent production in the passing game with 49 catches for 344 yards in 2020, but Etienne is much better suited to operate as a receiver, given his hands and unique explosiveness.
Jacksonville now features one of the most talented backfield tandems in the league, but exactly how the new coaching staff plans to split work likely won't be clarified until the regular season gets going. Robinson's experience may give him a leg up for reps early on, but Etienne's raw tools and draft pedigree should provide him the advantage as the year progresses. Carlos Hyde also received $2 million guaranteed to round out the backfield, but the two younger backs likely will be the stars of the show.
Providing Options for the Rookie QB
DJ Chark led Jacksonville's receivers with 706 yards in 2020, as the passing game generated minimal consistency while rotating through a trio of starting signal-callers. The addition of heralded rookie Trevor Lawrence should provide a jolt to the aerial attack, and the Jaguars also brought in some veteran help to fill out the squad's group of wide receivers.
Marvin Jones endured some ups and downs during his five years in Detroit, but he logged 76 catches for 978 yards and nine TDs last season before inking a two-year deal with Jacksonville in March. Chark is a difficult-to-guard weapon on the outside with elite speed and a 6-4, 198-pound frame. The addition of Jones to the mix should aid Chark by resulting in more balanced coverages from opposing defenses. Laviska Shenault had a team-high 58 receptions last year, totaling 600 yards and five TDs and adding 18 carries for 91 yards. The 2020 second-rounder brings significant versatility and should be a nice slot option for Lawrence.
The Jaguars made a couple of additions at tight end, drafting Luke Farrell in Round 5 and signing free agent Chris Manhertz. However, neither player provides much as a receiver. James O'Shaughnessy thus figures to serve as the team's top pass-catching option at the position after posting 262 yards last season.
Barometer
⬆️ Rising: TE James O'Shaughnessy
Both notable offseason additions at tight end (Chris Manhertz and Luke Ferrell) are blocking specialists, leaving O'Shaughnessy as the top receiving option at his position in an offense now paced by a rising young star.
⬇️ Falling: RB James Robinson
The first-round pick of Travis Etienne has thrown Robinson's role into uncertainty after he totaled 1,414 scrimmage yards and 10 TDs as a rookie UDFA. His days as a workhorse in Jacksonville appear numbered.
😴 Sleeper: WR Laviska Shenault
Shenault could excel as a slot option and gadget player this coming season, while DJ Chark and Marvin Jones operate as the team's top two options on the outside. Improved quarterback play figures to benefit all three.
🌟 Pivotal Player: DJ Chark
Chark had a down year with 53 catches for 706 yards and five TDs amid Jacksonville's turbulent 2020 campaign. An infusion of talent could open up the offense, and Chark will be quarterback Trevor Lawrence's most dynamic weapon. The wideout, who approaches his fourth NFL season, should receive plenty of looks from the touted rookie.
Medical Tent
WR DJ Chark
Chark endured a disappointing 2020 campaign that included numerous injuries and three DNPs, but there was never any doubt about his availability for the start of training camp. The young wideout, who will turn 25 in late September, thus had his overall receiving line reduce by 20 receptions, 302 yards and three touchdowns from his 2019 breakout (73-1,008-8). The addition of Trevor Lawrence under center should elevate the Jaguars offense as a whole, and Chark could see less attention from defenses following the free-agent signing of fellow wideout Marvin Jones.
Robinson missed the final two games of last season due to a swollen ankle after being a bell cow for most of the year, but there was no concern about the injury entering the offseason. He finished 2020 with more than 1,400 total yards and had double-digit end-zone visits. Despite the impressive campaign, Robinson's outlook for his second pro season remains in flux after the selection of highly-touted first-rounder Travis Etienne.
LB Josh Allen
Allen posted 10.5 sacks as a rookie in 2019 and appeared poised to break out last season, but knee issues plagued him along the way as he finished the year on IR with two sacks in eight games. The 24-year-old enters training camp healthy and will lead Jacksonville's pass rush in 2021.
Job Battle
James Robinson seemed set for another huge season after breaking out in 2020 despite a lackluster offense around him, but the script changed significantly when the Jaguars added Travis Etienne to the backfield this spring. Etienne's draft pedigree makes him the favorite for touches entering the coming season, even though coach Urban Meyer initially indicated the rookie would start as the "third-down back" with Robinson and Carlos Hyde leading the way on the early downs.
Etienne's explosiveness is impossible to ignore, and he should find space to work in Jacksonville's improved offense. The rookie split work between running back and wide receiver throughout the team's offseason activities, which could provide additional opportunities for both Etienne and Robinson.
The Jaguars don't have much to offer at tight end in terms of pass catchers, and Etienne splitting out could help fill that void in the aerial attack. That versatility should provide a better floor for Etienne week-to-week, while Robinson could be more affected by game flow in a run-oriented role. However, it's not a sure thing Etienne fits seamlessly in either facet of the game, so the more experienced Robinson could have a chance to take advantage of any hiccups from the rookie.
