Jaguars should build around these three players, per PFF
After an offseason that saw Jacksonville rebuild almost completely, bringing in a new front office, coaching staff, and starting quarterback, the team is expected to look fairly different in 2021. However, aside from new passer Trevor Lawrence, the team returns a young core that will be relied upon in the years to come.
According to Pro Football Focus’ Ben Linsey, the three players the Jaguars should build around are Lawrence (obviously), receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. and edge rusher Josh Allen.
Jacksonville managed to steal the first overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft from the New York Jets late in the season, and the best quarterback prospect to come out of the college ranks in years was their prize. Lawrence earned 90.0-plus grades in three consecutive seasons as Clemson’s quarterback. He has several intriguing young weapons to work with on offense. Shenault might top that list. The Colorado product was used in a limited role as a rookie, seeing an average depth of target just 6.6 yards downfield in 2020, but he has the size and rare athleticism to be a dynamic playmaker in a more traditional wide receiver role moving forward.
Allen represents the Jaguars’ best chance of generating a consistent pass rush in 2021. The 24-year-old earned pass-rush grades of at least 70.0 in each of his first two seasons, and that should be his floor moving forward.
Lawrence is expected to develop into an elite NFL quarterback, but the other two selections are somewhat surprising. Defensively, Allen has shown signs of excellence, but he hasn’t been the leader of the unit. That title goes to linebacker Myles Jack, who was one of the NFL’s best linebackers at the beginning of the 2020 season.
Both players will likely have expiring contracts after the 2023 season, but Jack will have to continue his high level of play in the coming years to justify a second big contract, while if Allen continues to progress, he should see a big extension at the end of his rookie deal.
A similar dynamic exists at the receiver spot. D.J. Chark has been Jacksonville’s best receiver the last two years, reaching 1,000 yards in 2019 and still breaking 700 yards in 2020 despite struggles at quarterback. But 2020 second-round pick Shenault impressed as a rookie, nearly matching Chark’s receiving total.
Shenault has three years remaining on his rookie deal, while Chark’s expires after the 2021 season. The team will almost certainly look to give him an extension, but a big season from Shenault would give the Jags a bit more flexibility in negotiations.
With a quarterback that will be on a rookie contract for at least a while, Jacksonville should have the cap space to keep Chark and Jack around if it wants to. But regardless, PFF thinks the team should look to its younger players to build around.
