The Jacksonville Jaguars made a huge offseason splash that will have many talking about them as they enter the 2025 season. What are some roster-related questions after their offseason moves?
Will young LBs push out the former first-rounder?
Devin Lloyd went from a full-time player to being subbed off the field for former fourth-round pick Ventrell Miller due to coverage concerns. Now, the Jaguars have added linebacker Jack Kiser, who is much more reliable in coverage. This is year four for Lloyd, and they are not picking up his fifth-year option. At what point do they go from Lloyd being an early down player to transitioning to seeing if Kiser can handle the full-time role? Can Kiser beat out Miller first?
What is going on in the secondary?
The Jaguars needed to improve their secondary, but the way they went about it is fascinating. Jarrian Jones had a strong year as their slot corner during his rookie season. However, the Jags signed Jourdan Lewis, who was primarily a slot receiver for the Cowboys. What makes this more interesting is that while they drafted Travis Hunter and he will play some cornerback, their next secondary addition was Caleb Ransaw, a player who could play both safety and the slot. Darnell Savage is currently their free safety, but he may be best off, you guessed it, in the slot.
Even Antonio Johnson, who will compete to start at strong safety, has experience working in the slot.
Is it as simple as Hunter and Tyson Campbell holding down the outside, so they need this many slot cornerbacks? When Hunter is off the field, which of these slots plays the outside? How much work does Hunter get on defense?
Two RBs drafted with a new coaching staff, what does that say for Etienne and Bigsby?
With Liam Coen in town, many fantasy players were excited about the potential of both Travis Etienne and Tank Bigbsy. Coen comes from the Rams, who always produce on the ground, and last year, he turned Bucky Irving into a must-own player. While the two veterans have the inside path, the Jags drafted both Bhayshul Tuten and LeQuint Allen in the 2025 draft. Allen is a third-down, pass-catching back. His pass protection skills may crush Etienne. Tuten is a big play back, which may also hurt Etienne, because that is what he does best.
Can these two push to get on the field, and does Bigsby feel the impact, or just Etienne?
Is Interior OL patched up enough?
The Jaguars are comfortable with their two tackles as they currently stand, but they need to improve the interior. After starting Luke Fortner at center last year, it was clear they needed an upgrade and added Robert Hainsey. Then, Patrick Mekari came to play right guard. He will hold this spot until third-round pick Wyatt Milum is ready.
Mekari was always depth for the Ravens, Hainsey was actively replaced by the Bucs, and Milum has potential, but also played tackle most of his college career. Do they have enough here for the line not to be a weakness?
Does Travis Hunter push Brian Thomas Jr. to the slot?
Brian Thomas Jr. was great in all areas last season, but he was especially lethal running deep passing routes from the slot. Thomas averaged 3.17 yards per route run from the slot last year, which was the third-best rate in the NFL, per PFF. He averaged 2.22 YPRR outside.
The Jaguars added Dyami Brown, who will push Gabe Davis for outside work. Parker Washington is their most ‘slot-like’ player. With Travis Hunter likely playing a big role on offense and being more of an outside threat who can beat press with his releases, this move may make Brian Thomas the most lethal big slot in the NFL.
