Jaguars News (5/10): Josh Allen joins Arik Armstead’s podcast

Your one-stop shop for Jacksonville Jaguars news, opinion, and analysis.

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Here is today’s roundup of the latest news, rumors, and analysis on your Jacksonville Jaguars.

Local chatter

2024 NFL Draft: 3 things to know about Cam Little (Big Cat Country)

Interestingly, Little has the leg for the big kicks too – not only did he effortlessly nail the 55 yarder above, but his former Razorback head coach Sam Pittman once said he hit a 68 yarder in practice too. A campus legend in Fayetteville ever since he nailed a game-winning, overtime boot against LSU as a freshman, the Jaguars will be hoping he brings that game-winning mentality to Jacksonville.

Jaguars power rankings: Which draft picks were best? (Big Cat Country)

I think the offensive line could have been addressed more in this draft, and while Jacksonville did a good job improving the secondary, taking Smith’s backup instead of giving Trevor Lawrence extra protection was a head-scratcher.

Josh Allen resets Jaguars’ expectations after mishandled 2023 season (Jags Wire)

New Jaguars defensive lineman Arik Armstead welcomed his teammate, edge rusher Josh Allen, onto his “Third and Long” podcast Wednesday for over an hour, to discuss Jacksonville’s food scene, Allen’s football upbringing and time with the Jaguars, and among other topics relating to the team, what led to its collapse during the 2023 season.

LSU Insider Breaks Down What Jaguars Are Getting in Brian Thomas Jr. (Jaguar Report)

Nagy: Brian Thomas Jr. is a true deep threat and the connection with Trevor Lawrence will be one to keep tabs on from the jump in their Week 1 contest. Look for him to shine on the outside as he continues dominating as a pass catcher with routes of 20+ yards. He registered a 13.9-yard average target depth with the Tigers in 2023, with 25.3% of his total targets coming 20+ yards downfield.

Former Jaguars player Marcus Stroud plans to open Downtown restaurant (Jacksonville Daily Record)

The name of the restaurant stems from Stroud’s nickname, Big Baby, which he was given by his teammates while playing at the University of Georgia.

NFL’s 5 least improved teams of the offseason: Cowboys or Bills more disappointing? (FOX Sports)

The Jags look like a perfectly solid team heading into the season, but that’s a far cry from being the undisputed class of their division. What a difference a year makes.

2024 NFL offseason: Biggest remaining roster holes for all 32 teams (ESPN)

The biggest hole for the Jaguars involves replacing the departed Rayshawn Jenkins, who signed with Seattle in free agency. Antonio Johnson is a 2023 fifth-round pick out of Texas A&M who started three games a year ago. He had two picks and a sack with good coverage, charting numbers in limited use. Five-year veteran Andrew Wingard, the starter in 2021, sits on the depth chart behind Johnson. Erick Hallett II spent the 2023 season on the practice squad after the Jaguars took him a round after Johnson in last year’s draft.

One last offseason move for all 16 AFC teams (PFF)

Cornerback Ronald Darby was a good addition for the Jaguars, coming off a season where he earned a 72.9 PFF coverage grade with the Ravens, but the departures of Darious Williams and Tre Herndon leave the team without another cornerback who earned a PFF coverage grade above 70.0.

Tyson Campbell getting back to the 2022 form that helped him rank fifth among cornerbacks in PFF coverage grade (80.7) would give Jacksonville a good pair of starters, but there’s still a need for more depth.

Gene Frenette: Signing CB Darby in free agency could positively impact Jaguars’ draft class (Times-Union)

The Jaguars are banking on Darby, who specializes in man-to-man coverage that will be a staple of defensive coordinator Ryan Neilsen’s scheme, being an ideal fit. They obviously weren’t dissuaded by Darby’s injury history (17 missed games since 2021) or having zero interceptions over 39 starts the past four seasons.

Gene Frenette: Jaguars’ legendary RB Fred Taylor keeps promise to grandmother, gets college degree (Times-Union)

“I knew my grandmother was going to pass soon,” Taylor said. “I told her I was going back to school and get my degree. I’m not sure she understood, but I believed she smiled at me. Just that connection sealed the deal for me.”

Bond with his mother Veronica, a cancer survivor, runs deep for Jaguars tackle Tyler Lacy (Times-Union)

Maintaining constant communication with family is an unbreakable habit for the Jaguars’ second-year player from Oklahoma State, none more so than with the woman Lacy calls his “hero,” mother Veronica.

Want to share your opinion on upcoming Jaguars stadium renovations? Here’s how (Times-Union)

The city will host their own set of “community huddles” to give Jacksonville residents the opportunity to comment on the proposed deal for renovating Everbank Stadium, the mayor’s office announced Thursday.

Seven Storylines To Watch at Jaguars Rookie Minicamp (Jaguars.com)

The most-experienced veteran expected to attend this week: Wide receiver Jarvis Landry, who reportedly will participate on a tryout basis. Landry, a nine-year veteran who has played with the Miami Dolphins, Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints, is a five-time Pro Bowl selection. He played in nine games with the Saints in 2022, missed the last three games with an ankle injury and did not play last season.

National links

Lions GM Brad Holmes: Extension for Jared Goff ‘a high priority’ (NFL.com)

Giants sign veteran WR Allen Robinson (NFL.com)

Texans trade for Rams receiver Ben Skowronek (ESPN)

Jayden Daniels, Malik Nabers have $10K Offensive ROY bet (ESPN)

2024 NFL draft: Best rookie team fits, perfect landing spots (ESPN)

Caleb Williams, Dallas Turner and more: Our favorite 2024 NFL Draft picks at each position (The Athletic)

Editor’s pick

Shedeur Sanders has flaws in his game that need fixing to be truly considered a first-round NFL Draft talent (Yahoo Sports)

The frustrating part when studying Sanders is you seldom see him work throws in the intermediate parts or past the sticks when in rhythm. Colorado’s offense, especially as the 2023 season went along, often felt off-kilter, an explosive play sandwiched between a quarterback under duress and pre-snap penalties. Sanders was sacked on 10.2% of his dropbacks in 2023, a high number compared to the FBS quarterback average of 6.1%. It’s a mark that only three quarterbacks drafted in the first three rounds have topped in a single season — Jayden Daniels, Will Levis and Malik Willis.

Must-see media

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