ESPN: Jaguars projected 2024 starting lineup ranks middle of the pack
Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson (right) and general manager Trent Baalke (left) talks to media during a pre-draft luncheon on Thursday, April 20, 2023.
The Jaguars earned the No. 15 spot on ESPN's NFL projected starting lineup rankings entering the 2024 season, compiled by analysts Mike Clay, Aaron Schatz and Seth Walder and released on Tuesday.
Clay predicted 12-player starting lineups for every NFL team as part of the exercise, accounting for different personnel sets on each side of the ball. Analyzing rosters with talent, age and production in mind, the trio of analysts graded the Jaguars based on the following groupings:
Offense: QB Trevor Lawrence, RB Travis Etienne Jr., WR Christian Kirk, WR Gabe Davis, WR Brian Thomas Jr., TE Evan Engram, TE Luke Farrell, LT Cam Robinson, LG Ezra Cleveland, C Mitch Morse, RG Brandon Scherff, RT Anton Harrison
Defense: DT Arik Armstead, DT Roy Roberston-Harris, DT Adam Gotsis, EDGE Josh Allen, EDGE Travon Walker, LB Foyesade Oluokun, LB Devin Lloyd, CB Tyson Campbell, CB Ronald Darby, CB Jarrian Jones, S Darnell Savage, S Andre Cisco
Jaguars Wire would project DaVon Hamilton to earn a starting spot at defensive tackle over Adam Gotsis, Brenton Strange to compete with Miller for No. 2 tight end duties and Antonio Johnson to vie for a first-team role at safety, with Savage likely starting at nickel cornerback and the rookie Jones as his backup.
Otherwise, ESPN's lineup largely reflects consensus, credible predictions.
Breaking down Jacksonville's biggest strengths and weaknesses, Clay highlighted its starting inside linebacker tandem, Foyesade Oluokun and Devin Lloyd, and raised concern about the Jaguars' offensive tackle duo, particularly left tackle Cam Robinson.
Oluokun and Lloyd have started in the middle of Jacksonville's defense since joining the team in 2022, the former as a free-agent signee and the latter as a first-round draft pick. They've combined to record 599 total tackles.
Robinson has been Jacksonville's starting left tackle when available since his second-round selection by the club in 2017. However, injuries and a suspension have kept Robinson out of 24 games over the last three seasons, to pair with inconsistent performance when he's played.
Sticking with the edge rush, Schatz labeled linebacker Yasir Abdullah as a "non-starter to watch" as Jacksonville hopes to identify playable depth behind Allen and Walker. One of the Jaguars' fifth-round picks a year ago, Abdullah compiled 19.5 sacks in his final two college seasons but made only one tackle in five games during his rookie year.
Jacksonville ranked No. 2 among AFC South teams on ESPN's list, behind No. 8 Houston and in front of No. 21 Indianapolis and No. 25 Tennessee.
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This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: ESPN: Jaguars projected 2024 starting lineup ranks middle of the pack