Jacksonville Jaguars – 2017-18 NFL Season Analysis

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Off-Season Victories

Every year it seems like the Jacksonville Jaguars win during the off-season by acquiring solid talent for the franchise. In the 2016 off-season, the Jaguars acquired S Tashaun Gipson, TE Julius Thomas, CB Prince Amukamara, DE Malik Jackson, along with drafting CB Jalen Ramsey and LB Myles Jack but failed to make the playoffs that year. Now a year later, the Jaguars drafted highly touted RB Leonard Fournette and signed CB A.J. Bouye, DE Calais Campbell, S Barry Church, TE Mychel Rivera to this potentially talented team.

So why are the Jaguars still a mediocre team?

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Player To Watch - QB Blake Bortles

The Jacksonville Jaguars picked up Bortles' 5th year ($19,000,000) option for 2018. So Bortles will be on the Jaguars for two more seasons. The former 2014 #3 overall pick hasn’t really lived up to his expectations. Bortles had a solid 2015 season (4,428 yards, 35 TD’s) but still had 18 INT. If Bortles and the Jags want to take that next step then Bortles needs to limit the interceptions. After 2 games of the preseason, Bortles has completed 11 of 18 passes for 81 yards with no touchdowns and the Jaguars have scored only 3 points on six drives in which Bortles has played this preseason. It looks like backup quarterback’s Chad Henne and Brandon Allen have a shot to de-throne Bortles of his starting job. "It's right up there for grabs and either person can grab it" Jaguars head coach Doug Marrone said of the team's quarterback battle, per ESPN.com's Michael DiRocco.

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Player to Watch: LT Cam Robinson

Rookie and second round draft selection, Cam Robinson will likely become Jaguars starting left tackle after the Jaguars released Branden Albert (retired but then came back). The former Alabama Crimson Tide tackle will be a key player for the Jags this year. He will be facing top Defensive Ends/Outside Linebackers early in the season (Jadeveon Clowney, Brian Orakpo, Terrell Suggs, and Sheldon Richardson/Leonard Williams). Robinson needs to protect Bortles because this offense has a lot of weapons with WR Allen Robinson, WR Allen Hurns, RB Fournette, and RB TJ Yeldon. The offense will only reach its full potential IF Robinson and the rest of the Offensive Line plays great.

Prediction: Jaguars go 8-8

Jacksonville Jaguars Website: http://www.jaguars.com/

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-- @mikebuch --

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32 Teams in 32 Days - Countdown to the NFL Season

Day 1 - Oakland Raiders

Day 2 - San Francisco 49ers

Day 3 - Kansas City Chiefs

Day 4 - New York Jets

Day 5 - Atlanta Falcons

Day 6 - Green Bay Packers

Day 7 - Minnesota Vikings

Day 8 - Dallas Cowboys

Day 9 - Buffalo Bills

Day 10 – Denver Broncos

Day 11 - New York Giants