TEAM OVERVIEW
Strengths: The Jaguars spent big in free agency for the second straight year, with much of the money going toward a much-needed defensive rebuild. Owner Shad Khan has committed more than
$200 million — including $125 million guaranteed — the last two years to bring in six defensive starters who could help make Jacksonville one of the stingiest units in the league. Foye Oluokun, Foley Fatukasi and Darious Williams join last year’s class that included CB Shaquill Griffin, FS Rayshawn Jenkins and DE Roy Robertson-Harris. Weaknesses: Jacksonville has been mostly anemic on offense for nearly a dozen years. The team has finished 25th or worse in scoring nine times in the last 11 seasons, a paltry stretch of futility in which the Jags have finished last in the league in scoring three times. They averaged a franchise-worst and leaguelow 14.9 points in 2021, hardly what anyone expected when they drafted Trevor Lawrence (right) with the No. 1 overall pick. Lawrence clearly needed more help, and GM Trent Baalke responded by signing Christian Kirk, Zay Jones, Evan Engram and Brandon Scherff in free agency. Lawrence also gets fellow first-rounder and Clemson teammate Travis Etienne Jr., the Atlantic Coast Conference’s all-time leading rusher, in the mix after he missed his rookie season with a foot injury. Expectations: The Jaguars could have as many as 13 new starters, a potentially big swing for a team that’s won a combined four games the last two seasons, held the top draft spot in consecutive years and finished last in the AFC South four straight times. Jacksonville might have enough young talent to surprise opponents — especially if Lawrence makes the jump many are expecting — and should benefit from no longer having Urban Meyer in the building.