Jacksonville Jaguars

Can The Jacksonville Jaguars Go From Worst To First In 2017?

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 7:15 p.m. ET

Fansided, Billy Long/FanSided via Black and Teal

After finishing last in the AFC South in 2016, do the Jacksonville Jaguars have what it takes to go from worst to first in 2017?

The New Staff

The hiring of Doug Marrone wasn’t a big splash and was met with some criticism, but he does bring an attitude and discipline that was missing with Gus Bradley. The big splash was bringing back Tom Coughlin as EVP of Football Operations. His return has sparked belief that Jacksonville can be transformed into a winner. Coughlin has assembled a lot of coaches that have worked on his previous staffs, and even a former player with the hiring of Keenan McCardell. Retaining Nathaniel Hackett and Todd Wash as offensive and defensive coordinators isn’t much to get excited about, but the building of this new staff otherwise has breathed new hope that winning can be achieved.More from Black and Teal

Weak Division

The AFC South is regarded as one of, if not the weakest division in the NFL. The Houston Texans have taken the crown the last two seasons, but still can’t find stability at the quarterback position. The Tennessee Titans flirted with the crown last season before coming up short, and the Indianapolis Colts still have Andrew Luck, but these two teams accounted for two of Jacksonville’s three wins last season. Competing within their division shouldn’t be a difficult challenge for the Jaguars next season.

Manageable Schedule

2017 sets up nicely for the Jaguars when it comes to the schedule. Obviously the NFL isn’t always predictable, as there are always teams who exceed expectations and those who fail to reach them. But as it stands right now, the schedule next season sets up as one of the easiest in the league, and looks very maneuverable for Jacksonville.

Young Talent

Despite a lack of wins, the team is not short on young stars. Jalen Ramsey has turned himself into a shutdown corner, and is quickly becoming a superstar in the league for years to come. Defensive end Yannick Ngakoue is proving to be a gem of a third-round draft pick, and should continue to increase his productivity. On the offensive side of the ball, Allen Robinson is still the team’s number one receiver and still a big play threat, despite an under-performing 2016 campaign.

There are obviously still reasons to be skeptical that Jacksonville can make the jump.

The most notable question mark is still the uncertainty of Blake Bortles. Bortles took a huge step back in his progression as a viable quarterback, and doubt lingers if he indeed can still be “the guy.” The team has reinforced their support of Bortles multiple times already this offseason, and have hired Scott Milanovich, former head coach of the CFL’s Toronto Argonauts as quarterbacks coach, to try his hand at helping Bortles get back on the right track. Bortles must regain his confidence, and vastly improve his play, if the team is going to compete next season.