Team » Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars are a trendy pick to be a much improved team entering the 2016 NFL season, possibly competing for the AFC South title. Much of Jaguars fans' optimism comes from their strong offseason, where they signed several starting-caliber free agents, including cornerback Prince Amukamara, former Broncos defensive tackle Malik Jackson, Browns safety Tashaun Gipson, running back Chris Ivory, and former Steelers offensive tackle Kelvin Beachum. Jacksonville acquired two of the top defensive players in the 2016 NFL Draft, selecting Florida State cornerback/safety Jalen Ramsey and UCLA linebacker Myles Jack. 2015 top pick Dante Fowler returns from injury at defensive end, as well. Add that new talent with an offense that showed glimpses of excellence under quarterback Blake Bortles and wide receivers Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns, and this appears to be a team on the rise. The addition of Ivory to a backfield that returns second-year running back T.J. Yeldon, who had a strong rookie season makes the offense a scary matchup for opposing defenses. As for Jacksonville's defense, they will need big production from Ramsey, who many viewed as the top player on the 2016 Draft board, along with their new additions. The Jaguars will be an interesting team to watch in 2016, and they should improve greatly from a 5-11 finish in 2015. The AFC South is anyone's division, and Jacksonville should find themselves in the hunt with the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts.