TGS 2015 Preview: Jacksonville Jaguars

Between now and the end of August, TGS will offer up a quick snapshot of every NFL team heading into the 2015 regular season. Today, the Jacksonville Jaguars.

2014 in a nutshell: Despite a fresh and rejuvenated feeling with new potential franchise quarterback Blake Bortles and an improving young defense, the Gus Bradley-led Jaguars finish 3-13, winning fewer than six games for the fourth consecutive season.

Why 2015 could be different: Bortles is entering his first full NFL season as a starter and is surrounded by extremely talented young players like Marqise Lee, Allen Robinson and Luke Joeckel. Plus, the flush Jags made some moves on the free-agent market.

Major additions: Tight end Julius Thomas along with new defensive starters Jared Odrick, Sergio Brown and Davon House.

Major losses: It’s too bad they won’t get anything out of top pick Dante Fowler, who would have been a defensive rookie of the year candidate on the outside but will miss the season after tearing his ACL in May. They also let Cecil Shorts escape to Houston in free agency.

Breakout watch: Watch both Lee and Robinson, who were second-round picks in 2014 but were outgained by both Shorts and Allen Hurns last season.

Position to watch: There are interesting battles emerging along the offensive line (where young Luke Bowanko will try to hold off veteran Stefen Wisniewski at center and veteran Jermey Parnell will try to be the full-time right tackle for the first time in his career) as well as at running back (where rookie T.J. Yeldon should immediately steal reps from Denard Robinson and Toby Gerhart).

Prediction: The Jags will undoubtedly be better and should have a chance to finish second in the division for the first time since 2010, but they aren’t ready to challenge Indy for the AFC South crown and can’t compete with teams like Buffalo, Miami, New England, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Baltimore, Denver, San Diego and Kansas City for a playoff spot. Best case, they finish 8-8.

About Brad Gagnon

Brad Gagnon has been passionate about both sports and mass media since he was in diapers -- a passion that won't die until he's in them again. Based in Toronto, he's worked as a national NFL blog editor at theScore.com (covering Super Bowls XLIV, XLV and XLVI), a producer and writer at theScore Television Network and a host, reporter and play-by-play voice at Rogers TV. His work has also appeared at Deadspin, FoxSports.com, The Guardian, The Hockey News and elsewhere at Bloguin, but his day gig has him covering all things NFC East for Bleacher Report.

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