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 Keilan Robinson (Big Cat Country)
If reality TV is a guilty pleasure of yours, you may be familiar with something called ‘Pawn Stars’ – a show that follows the trials and tribulations of a pawn shop that tries to make money in the cutthroat world of cash for collateral. In one episode two years ago, a clip from the show covered the sale of a collection of three college football championship rings that had previously belonged to – yep, you’ve guessed it – Keilan Robinson.
Jaguars stadium renovation deal will be announced Tuesday, City Council president says (Times-Union)
“The mayor reached out to me late yesterday afternoon to inform me that the executive branch and the Jaguars have reached an agreement on the stadium renovation,” Salem said at the beginning of a joint meeting with the Duval County School Board Wednesday morning.
It’ll become reality for one reason above all: Jaguars’ owner Shad Khan, Deegan and all the important players working for each party deem a renovated stadium too critical to Jacksonville’s future for it to die at the 11th hour.
Report: Former Jaguars WR Zay Jones Visiting With Arizona Cardinals (Jaguar Report)
According to Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz, the ex-Jaguars receiver is set to take a visit with the Arizona Cardinals, a spot where he could potentially carve out a role as a starter or key contributor.
“He Rises to the Challenge All the Time” | Coaches Corner on Javon Foster (Jaguars.com)
“I really thought he played lights out this year,” Jones said. “He rose to the challenge all the time. He obviously he graded out fairly high, but he is never complacent. He played in the best conference in college football, so you’re facing those types of players in the NFL. But just his week-in, week-out approach really benefited him.”
Have the Jaguars improved at key positions this offseason? (ESPN)
The Jaguars allowed 18 passing touchdowns to wide receivers in 2023 (fifth most in the NFL) and cornerbacks accounted for only six of the team’s 16 interceptions (Williams had four). An upgrade was needed, and while the Jaguars didn’t opt for a cornerback in the first round when Alabama’s Terrion Arnold was available when they picked 23rd, Baalke and Pederson are confident that Nielsen can put the puzzle together to improve in the secondary in 2024.
Key intel on all 32 teams after the 2024 NFL draft: Buzz, fits (ESPN)
It’s easy to highlight first-rounders, but here’s a potential late-round gem: seventh-round defensive end Myles Cole out of Texas Tech. He ran a 4.69-second 40 at 6-foot-6 and 278 pounds.
“He’s long as hell, big as hell, fast as hell,” an AFC scout said. “Change of direction is not great, play wasn’t great, but there’s a lot to work with.”
The Jaguars felt strongly about their Day 3 haul, including Texas running back Keilan Robinson as a change-of-pace back and a viable option as a kick returner given the revamped rules.
At No. 23 overall, where Jacksonville took LSU receiver Brian Thomas Jr., Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold also was a strong consideration as the choice. But Jacksonville wanted a receiver with dominant traits to replace Calvin Ridley and figured it could get corner help elsewhere in the draft.
Remaining questions for all 32 teams after the 2024 NFL Draft (PFF)
While Calvin Ridley was supposed to solve the Jaguars’ pass-catching issues for good, he stayed in Jacksonville for just one season and signed with the Titans ahead of 2024. As a result, the Jaguars, who signed Gabe Davis in free agency, are essentially left without a true No.1 receiver.
Now, either Davis or incumbent Christian Kirk will have to reach levels they have not previously reached in their careers, or rookie first-round pick Brian Thomas Jr. will have to get up to speed quickly and have an outstanding rookie campaign.
National links
Former Bengals WR Tyler Boyd signing with Titans on one-year contract (NFL.com)
Chiefs’ Rice suspect in alleged assault, Dallas police say (ESPN)
NFL 2024 schedule to be released May 15, per sources: All the team-by-team opponents (The Athletic)
Editor’s pick
3 NFL teams who deserve more primetime games on 2024 schedule, and 2 who don’t (SB Nation)
The big chip the Colts have for more primetime games is the young QB. Anthony Richardson missed most of the Colts season due to injury, but when he was 100% healthy, he was capable of making big time plays downfield. A fully healthy Richardson plus the skill position talent and playcalling they already have should put them on the docket for more primetime games this year.
Must-see media
According to a reliable source, during the second half of the #Jaguars‘ season in 2023 Wednesday practices were not full speed, and they focused on “alignment, assignment and communication.”
— Demetrius Harvey (@Demetrius82) May 7, 2024
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