By Jeff Moeller, Florida Sports Wire
It is the beginning of new year around the corner, and the Jaguars certainly want to look ahead.
The Jags can put this season behind them. The only matter left is the aftermath.
When you lose to a team that had lost 10 in a row, you should take that route. The tone and optimism from head coach Doug Pederson on down is one reflective of finality and reality with a 3-12 record.
However, in youth, there is a future. And the Jags have enough blocks to build a new foundation.
They began the season by going the veteran route by bringing on board Arik Armstead, Devin Duvernay, Mitch Morse, Gabe Davis, Trevis Gipson, Ronald Darby, Darnell Savage, and Josiah Deguara.
The Jags re-signed Tyler Shatley and D’ Ernest Johnson, and extended Josh Hines-Allen and Trevor Lawrence with large deals.
It hasn’t exactly all worked out. Morse, Davis, Savage and Deguara have been somewhat steady, while Armstead and Darby have been stale. Armstead just got his second sack against the Raiders last weekend, and Darby has been benched. Gipson was traded for a 2025 sixth-round pick. Duvernay had been adequate at best.
Hines-Allen has just seven sacks this season compared to 17.5 last season. He is three shy of the Jags record of 55 set by Tony Brackens.
But, there is a future with the team’s youth.
Of course, it starts with Lawrence and Brian Thomas Jr., who has been rewriting the rookie receiving records this season.
With the rash of injuries at wide receiver Parker Washington continues to prove he is more than just a kick returner, and will get a long look at being a starter next summer.
Tight end Brenton Strange has emerged as a threat after Evan Engram went down for the year, and Strange also has made Pederson’s two-tight end system work well.
Second-year running back Tank Bigsby also has plenty of promise to be the team’s lead back despite his four fumbles this season.
Up front, second-year tackle and former top pick Anton Harrison is developing into a reliable presence.
Rookie kicker Cam Little is having a Pro Bowl-type season, and he will be a long-term solution.
Rookie defensive tackle Maason Smith had a sack against the Raiders, and has shown signs of living up to his potential after being injured early in the season.
First-year corners Jarrian Jones’ and De’Antre Prince’s stock has been rising and three-year corner Montaric Brown’s play also has been on the upswing. Jones has been the team’s nickel back most of the season. According to Pro Football Focus, all of them have rated in the top half of their peers in every category.
The Jags will play their home finale Sunday at the Bank in a meaningless game against Tennessee before they close out on the road against Indianapolis.
They have a legitimate shot to win both or should take one of them. But should they? The Jags currently hold the second overall pick in April’s draft.
It’s just been that kind of year. One to forget.
Yet, it is another one full of optimism toward a future that has already begun.
