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Best starter on each of Colts’ AFC South rivals

By Jacob Mummert

Jan 12, 2020; Kansas City, MO, USA; Houston Texans offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil (78) against the Kansas City Chiefs in a AFC Divisional Round playoff football game at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 12, 2020; Kansas City, MO, USA; Houston Texans offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil (78) against the Kansas City Chiefs in a AFC Divisional Round playoff football game at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Josh Allen #41 of the Jacksonville Jaguars celebrates a sack during the game against the Buffalo Bills. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /

Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars are still a bottom feeder in the AFC South and NFL in general, but they do have some talented, young players that the organization and fan base hope will help change things around. They were able to select several promising rookies in the most recent draft. Travon Walker was selected with the first-overall pick, adding a skilled player in the linebacking core. The Jaguars dipped into the linebacker well a few times in the draft adding Devin Lloyd and Chad Muma as well. However, these players haven’t proven enough yet to be one of the Jaguars’ best starters.

Trevor Lawrence would be the logical next step here. A decent rookie season was met with hope for the future. In year two, Lawrence is expected to produce more. Jacksonville invested in the receiving core this offseason setting the wide receiver market by signing Christian Kirk (who *spoiler* isn’t the best starter). They also added Zay Jones and Evan Engram to give Lawrence more targets. However, until he shows he can use his targets Lawrence is not the best starter. One of his weapons has the chance to, and that’s Travis Etienne Jr. After missing his rookie season with a Lisfranc fracture in his left foot Etienne Jr. looks to bounce back strong this season. However, until he proves this he can’t be named the best starter either.

That leads us to look back at the defensive side of the ball. Although Shaquill Griffin was an added boost to the secondary last season, the best starter on the Jaguars this season has to be Josh Allen. Not only does he share a namesake with one of the best quarterbacks in the league, but he ranks as one of the best linebackers in the game. According to PFF, last season Allen ranked 18th out of 110 linebackers. Last season he was tied for 32nd in the league with 7.5 sacks. From the gate, Allen had a great start to his NFL career.

He was named to the Pro Bowl in his rookie season, despite only starting four games. He recorded 10.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and 44 tackles. 11 of these tackles went for a loss and he hit the quarterback 23 times. This stat, as well as his sacks and forced fumbles, are the best of his career thus far.

In 2020, he only played eight games after suffering injuries. Last season he rebounded well starting 15 of 16 games and recording one interception, one forced fumble, 7.5 sacks, and 71 tackles. These were the most tackles of his career. He also got more involved in pass defense with the interception in addition to four pass deflections. He will be a leader not only on the defense but the team in general as the Jaguars look to reset with their youth and hopefully one day compete in the AFC South.

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