Just three years ago, the Jacksonville Jaguars were on the cusp of their first Super Bowl appearance.
They fielded an elite defense and an offense that had just enough playmakers to overcome the deficiencies of Blake Bortles.
Since then, the franchise has been nothing short of a disaster.
They have won a combined 12 games in the three ensuing seasons, bottoming out at 1-15 this year.
Armed with two first-round picks, though, the Jaguars can quickly right the ship are surge back to the top of the division.
Jacksonville has more to offer than any team hiring a new HC and or GM. Jaguars have the No. 1 overall pick, 11 total picks, over $100 million in salary-cap space and strong ownership. NFL execs and coaches find the Jacksonville situation highly appealing.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 4, 2021
Here are three positions need to address in the 2021 draft to return Jacksonville to relevance.
Quarterback
Could there be a more obvious choice in this upcoming draft?
Minshew Mania was fun while it lasted, but he is far from the future of this franchise.
Mike Glennon is not the answer either, as the career journeyman threw for as many interceptions as touchdowns in four appearances this year.
With the first overall pick, though, the Jaguars have the opportunity to select a franchise-defining quarterback that will lead them from the depths of the AFC South basement.
Insert Trevor Lawrence.
As @ClemsonFB likes to say: The best is yet to come 🙌🐅@Trevorlawrencee has officially declared for the NFL Draft! pic.twitter.com/p7se0lpyQx
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) January 6, 2021
Lawrence has long been touted as one of the greatest quarterback prospects ever evaluated, and now he has the chance to prove his mettle with the hapless Jaguars.
He has all the measurables and intangibles to elevate this team and turn them into an instant success.
Plus, he’ll have a strong supporting cast in DJ Chark, Laviska Shenault, and James Robinson.
Theoretically, Jacksonville could address another position of need with the first choice.
If they want to win now and in the future, though, they can not get cute with this pick.
They need to draft a quarterback, and that quarterback has to be Trevor Lawrence.
Offensive Line
The best way to ensure Trevor Lawrence doesn’t become the next Joe Burrow is for Jacksonville to protect the pocket.
The Jaguars have solid but uninspiring linemen in Cam Robinson, Andrew Norwell, Jawaan Taylor, and Brandon Linder.
They are hopeful that Taylor can make strides from his inconsistent rookie season, as it would be a boon for this unit.
Robinson, however, is a free agent and could leave this group shallow heading into next season.
Even if they retain his services, the Jaguars should still look to improve their blocking upfront.
Penei Sewell from Oregon will be long gone the next time the team picks in the first round, but there will still be plenty of talented linemen to choose from.
If the Jaguars wanted to beef up the interior, they could go with Ohio State’s Wyatt Davis or USC’s Alijah Vera-Tucker.
A grandson of a NFL Hall of Famer, here are three things to know about All-American Wyatt Davis https://t.co/VUOtVhx9Gq
— BuckeyeXtra.com (@BuckeyeXtra) January 7, 2021
If they wanted to protect the edge, Rashawn Slater from Northwestern or Sam Cosmi from Texas are plausible options.
The Jaguars take Texas left tackle Samuel Cosmi 21st overall in CBS Sports' latest mock draft (via @HaeruHariken)https://t.co/LqUqbzM1Qg
— Black&Teal (@BLACKandTEAL) January 7, 2021
Regardless of who they pick, an infusion of talent should theoretically improve both the run and pass game for the Jaguars.
Defensive Line
An argument can be made that the Jaguars should prefer to upgrade their secondary first.
They gave up the second-highest completion percentage and sixth-most passing yards to opposing quarterbacks this year.
However, injuries to DJ Hayden, CJ Henderson, and Sidney Jones prevented the group from finding their footing.
Instead, Jacksonville should focus on improving its presence at the defensive line.
They already have a pair of talented pass rushers in Josh Allen and K’Lavon Chaisson.
Someone like Michigan star Kwity Paye or Gregory Rosseau from Miami can turn this into a quarterback nightmare, though.
Big time season debut for Kwity Paye – so explosive, hard to get hands on him pic.twitter.com/o02pc0Fj7q
— Connor Rogers (@ConnorJRogers) October 25, 2020
The Jaguars also could use a player that can stuff the run while generating pressure from the interior.
The defense allowed 153 rushing yards per game at 4.7 yards per carry, both of which ranked in the bottom five.
They also have the daunting task of facing Derrick Henry and Jonathan Taylor several times a year.
While the interior defensive lineman class is relatively weak, the team could target Christian Baremore from Alabama, Iowa-product Daviyon Nixon, or Marvin Wilson out of Florida State.
Most QB pressures by P5 DTs:
Christian Barmore, Bama – 34 pic.twitter.com/3NvXa2BaD9
— PFF College (@PFF_College) January 7, 2021
Battles are won in the trenches, and the Jaguars could make strides on defense with another addition to this unit.
NEXT: Would Urban Meyer Be A Good Fit In Jacksonville?