The Athlon Sports 2023 Fantasy Football Annual magazine reached out to team insiders at all 32 NFL clubs to ask them three key fantasy questions heading into the season. As we count down to training camp, Sports Illustrated will publish their answers here. Today’s team: Jacksonville Jaguars
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What kind of numbers do you expect from Trevor Lawrence?
Lawrence passed for 4,113 yards with 25 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 2022, throwing 15 touchdowns and two interceptions in the last nine games. With Lawrence more comfortable in head coach Doug Pederson’s system, look for him to be more consistent and to be up around 32 to 35 touchdown passes with seven to nine interceptions.
- 2023 Season Outlook: Jacksonville Jaguars
Can Travis Etienne Jr. handle an increased workload, or will he share carries with rookie Tank Bigsby?
Etienne rushed for 1,125 yards and five touchdowns in 2022, averaging about 14 carries per game. The Jaguars don’t want the explosive Etienne (5-foot-10, 215 pounds) to get too close to 20 carries per game, so an average of 15 to 16 carries is probably about right. Bigsby provides an excellent short-yardage, change-of-pace option.
How quickly will Calvin Ridley be integrated into the offense after sitting out last season?
Ridley hasn’t played football since October 2021, so this answer is a bit of a guess. He reportedly is in great shape. The Jaguars offense didn’t hit its full stride until about midway through last season — or about when Lawrence developed chemistry with wide receivers Christian Kirk and Zay Jones and tight end Evan Engram. Ridley figures to achieve a similar comfort level with Lawrence around that same point this season.
—John Oehser, jaguars.com
