State of the AFC South Following Free Agency
By Evan Reller
Dec 28, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) throws during the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Jacksonville Jaguars
Key Additions: TE Julius Thomas, DT Jared Odrick, OT Jermey Parnell, CB Davon House, S Sergio Brown
Key Departures: WR Cecil Shorts
The Jaguars are quietly stocking up talented players and building in the right direction. The team struggled this season, largely due to having a very young offense and a rookie QB. Despite having the most money in free agency, the team hardly made a splash.
The Jags are hoping for a massive leap in Blake Bortles (and praying he isn’t the second coming of Blaine Gabbert). It also didn’t help that the offense was beyond terrible last season. The best player was right guard Brandon Linder and the teams efficiency was second from last in the NFL.
Thomas will be a great weapon for Bortles and the young wide receiving corps showed flashes of being great.
The franchise was basically burned to the ground when GM David Caldwell and coach Gus Bradley took over. They have another year or two to turn things around, and are banking heavily on the development of the past two draft classes.