This article is part of our Team Previews series.
Jacksonville Jaguars
THE SKINNY
The Jaguars haven't had a winning season since Blake Bortles was a high school sophomore, but after an aggressive offseason and fruitful draft, they'll face real expectations for the first time under coach Gus Bradley. If the added defensive talent lives up to billing, the Jags could be a darkhorse playoff team.
THREE KEY STORY LINES
DRAFTING FOR DEFENSE
GM David Caldwell earned universal praise for landing both CB Jalen Ramsey and LB Myles Jack with the team's first two draft picks. While Jack tumbled down draft boards for a reason, thus making the selection a calculated risk, the Jaguars now have two outstanding young assets around which to restructure a defense that was among the worst in the NFL last season, ranking next-to-last in points allowed (28.0 per game) and 29th against the pass. Jacksonville also added a pair of defensive linemen, Yannick Ngakoue and Sheldon Day in Rounds 3 and 4, and picked up two more near the end of the draft. Couple those additions with the signing of DE Malik Jackson and the return of 2015 No. 3 overall pick DE Dante Fowler (who missed his entire rookie year with a torn ACL) and the Jags could have one of the most improved pass rushes in the league this season. Caldwell and Co. were also active on the free agent market, bringing in a pair of experienced defensive backs, Prince Amukamara and Tashaun Gipson, to bolster a secondary that allowed opposing quarterbacks to complete nearly 65 percent of their passes in 2015.
IVORY, YELDON BRING ONE-TWO PUNCH
While the Jaguars' offense took a major step forward in 2015, the ground game still lagged significantly behind the aerial attack. Led by rookie T.J. Yeldon, the team averaged a modest 92.1 rushing yards per game, good for 27th in the NFL, and nished with only five total rushing touchdowns. Signal-caller Blake Bortles accounted for a pair of those, while Yeldon only reached pay dirt twice himself. The former Alabama back returns as the incumbent starter, but he'll face stiff competition for carries from Chris Ivory, who finished fifth in the league in rushing last season while with the Jets. Ivory is less of a finesse back than Yeldon and figures to have more value around the goal line. Yeldon, meanwhile, was a second-round pick last year, so the Jaguars will certainly keep him plenty busy, as well. With the addition of Ivory, last season's No. 2 back, Denard Robinson, is expected to see a reduced role, likely picking up the bulk of his work in obvious passing situations. The Jags also parted ways with Toby Gerhart, who ran for just 370 yards and two touchdowns over his two campaigns in Jacksonville.
BORTLES, RECEIVING CORPS BACK FOR MORE
After finishing 30th, 32nd and 32nd in scoring over the previous three seasons, the Jaguars' offense came alive in 2015, jumping up to 14th in scoring behind a balanced passing attack led by QB Blake Bortles. Despite a pedestrian 58.6 percent completion percentage, Bortles shattered David Garrard's franchise single-season touchdown record (23), throwing for 35 scores while also setting franchise marks for completions (355), attempts (606) and yardage (4,428). Fourteen of those 35 touchdowns went to Allen Robinson, who in his second season emerged as one of the better deep threats in the league. Robinson caught 80 passes for 1,400 yards (second-most in franchise history) on the year, including 31 receptions of at least 20 yards, the most in the NFL by a six-catch margin. Opposite Robinson in one of the league's best young receiving corps is Allen Hurns, who also topped 1,000 yards last season to go with 10 touchdowns. Two-time Pro Bowl TE Julius Thomas is back and healthy, as is former USC standout Marqise Lee, who might be the answer in the slot if he can keep his name off the injury report.
KEY JOB BATTLE
While rookie T.J. Yeldon reached the end zone only twice last season, the Jaguars were encouraged by his progress and decision-making. Still, that didn't prevent the team from going out and adding Chris Ivory, the NFL's fifth-leading rusher in 2015, in free agency. Ivory was the better back last season, but he's also 28, and it's tough to imagine the Jags simply pushing Yeldon aside. While Ivory will likely open as the No. 1 back, the workload figures to be split relatively evenly, though Ivory projects as the better option around the goal line.
PIVOTAL PLAYER
After a rookie season in which he tossed 17 picks and 11 touchdowns, Bortles made major strides in 2015, more than tripling his touchdown total (35) and finishing seventh in the NFL in passing yards (4,428). Efficiency remains an issue, but Bortles' stock will be higher than ever entering 2016, especially with his entire receiving corps returning.
BAROMETER
RISING: Julius Thomas
Thomas was banged up for much of his first year in Jacksonville. With a full offseason to prepare alongside Blake Bortles, the tight end will look to regain the form that led to 12 touchdowns in both 2013 and 2014.
FALLING: Denard Robinson
T.J. Yeldon's backup for most of last season, Robinson will have a difficult time carving out a role, given the addition of Chris Ivory. The shifty Robinson will likely be limited to spot change-of-pace duty.
SLEEPER: Marqise Lee
Nagging injuries have thus far prevented Lee from reaching his potential. If the dynamic 2014 second-rounder can stay healthy in 2016, Bortles will have yet another dangerous weapon at his disposal.
THE INJURY FRONT
Dante Fowler, DE - The No. 3 overall pick in the 2015 draft missed all of last season with a torn ACL, but he's back at full strength and is expected to be a three-down player as Jacksonville's "Leo" edge rusher.
Marqise Lee, WR - Nagging leg injuries have robbed Lee of nine games over the last two seasons, preventing him from grabbing a firm hold of the slot receiver position.
Rashad Greene, WR - The rookie out of Florida State missed two months in the middle of last season with a back injury, but he returned to record 10 catches for 58 yards over the team's final seven games. At this point, Greene may be most valuable as a return man, but he'll challenge Marqise Lee for snaps in the slot.
IDP FOCUS
Jalen Ramsey, CB - The rookie out of Florida State suffered a minor knee injury during minicamp, but he remains a high-upside rookie who could play multiple spots in the secondary.
Johnathan Cyprien, S - Cyprien quietly ranked in the top-7 among safeties in solo tackles last season, recording 77 takedowns for what was a leaky Jaguars secondary. However, his production elsewhere has been average, at best, and he'll face competition for snaps this season. The Florida Atlantic product should still provide value, but he's a considerably riskier investment in 2016 than he was at this stage last year.
Telvin Smith, LB - In his second NFL campaign, the linebacker racked up 128 total tackles in 14 games last season and should again be a tackling machine, though the Jaguars' front four is much improved heading into 2016.
OFFSEASON MOVES
KEY ACQUISITIONS:
Chris Ivory – RB (from Jets)
Physical back topped 1,000 rushing yards for the first time in 2015.
Jalen Ramsey – CB (Rd. 1, No. 5 – Florida State)
Meniscus injury could slow blue chip prospect this summer.
Myles Jack – LB (Rd. 2, No. 36 – UCLA)
A top-5 talent who fell to Round 2 due to long-term knee concerns.
Tashaun Gipson – S (from Browns)
Will help improve a pass defense that faltered in 2015.
Prince Amukamara – CB (from Giants)
Physical cornerback could start Week 1 but has notable injury history.
KEY LOSSES:
Toby Gerhart – RB (FA)
Cut in March after two wildly disappointing seasons in Jacksonville.
CLAY HARBOR – TE (to Patriots)
Left for greener pastures after Jacksonville re-signed Marcedes Lewis.
CHRIS CLEMONS – DE (to Seahawks)
Racked up 11 sacks over the last two seasons.
