The Jacksonville Jaguars didn’t get a player to help them turn around their 2-6 season, but the team got a head start on its 2023 offseason by trading to acquire Calvin Ridley.
The former Atlanta Falcons wide receiver fills a need on the roster that was looking more egregious on a weekly basis. It’s been several weeks since the Jaguars have even attempted a pass more than 30 yards down the field, let alone completed one.
While the Jaguars have a shifty slot receiver in Christian Kirk and a reliable possession receiver in Zay Jones, the team was missing an outside threat who can stretch the field and challenge defenses vertically. Ridley looks like he could be that player for the Jaguars.
With Ridley on the roster, the Jaguars may still want to add a wide receiver at some point in the 2023 NFL Draft. It no longer looks like the largest need, though.
Following the trade deadline, here are the three biggest needs for the Jaguars:
1
Cornerback
The 22-year-old cornerback is quickly becoming an elite player at his position and showed it again in Week 8 when he locked down the Broncos’ Courtland Sutton.
Tyson Campbell aligned across from Courtland Sutton on 23 of 31 routes (74% shadow) in their Week 8 matchup.
Campbell had an interception and allowed just 1 reception on 2 targets to Sutton (0.8 yards of average target separation).#DENvsJAX | #DUUUVAL pic.twitter.com/p5zbfN35Ld
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) October 31, 2022
The problem is the other side. Shaquill Griffin started there this season and had a few decent games, but some really rough ones before a back injury sent him to injured reserve.
Now the Jaguars are starting Tre Herndon opposite Campbell and he’s been toasted on multiple deep balls down the right sideline.
Jacksonville can recoup $13.5 million in cap space if it cuts Griffin in the offseason, making it a no-brainer move for the team. And that makes finding a cornerback to pair with Campbell the No. 1 priority for the Jaguars.
2
Defensive lineman
The trio is good enough to make the Jaguars a team that’s usually tough to run against. Usually.
Jacksonville did get steamrolled by the Eagles to the tune of 210 rushing yards and then again by the Giants for 236.
None of those three players are game-wreckers who command double teams at all times or threaten to wreak havoc in the backfield.
Robertson-Harris is another player who appears unlikely to return in 2023 with $7.8 million in cap space savings on the table and adding a game changer along the line would go a long way toward freeing up Travon Walker and Josh Allen.
3
Tight end
Engram, 28, is on a one-year deal and could be a player the Jaguars prioritize bringing back in 2023.
But that doesn’t change the fact that it’s a position to keep an eye on for Jacksonville.
Dan Arnold, who is set to become a free agent in the offseason, quickly became one of Trevor Lawrence’s favorite targets when he arrived midseason in 2021. Engram has been one of Lawrence’s favorites this season.
A big, reliable, and quarterback-friendly target in the passing game is a young passer’s best friend and Lawrence could use a premier one to complement his increasingly talented wide receiver corps.
