The Jacksonville Jaguars will enter the 2022 season with a flurry of areas that they will need to improve in if they want to finish with a better record than in 2021. Jacksonville’s 2021 draft will likely play a big role in whether or not that will happen this upcoming season.
Most of last year’s draft class didn’t see much playing time except quarterback Trevor Lawrence and cornerback Tyson Campbell. It was difficult for Jacksonville to see its second first-round pick Travis Etienne suffer a season-ending injury before the 2021 season began.
The Jaguars’ fourth-round pick Jay Tufele also struggled with injuries all season long and only played in four games. With another year under everyone’s belt, most of them should become major contributors for the Jaguars in 2022.
Etienne should be the biggest help for next year’s team since he was the second-highest draft pick. He and running back James Robinson will make a formidable one-two punch. Etienne is also an excellent receiver out of the backfield. However, he still needs to improve in pass protection.
Campbell saw the most playing time last season besides Lawrence. He struggled to gain his footing at first but had a strong second half to the season when he was able to settle down on the perimeter and the team used more zone coverage.
Offensive tackle Walker Little should become a full-time starter after only starting three games last season. In 225 snaps, he only surrendered two sacks.
Many Jaguars fans and media members questioned why third-round pick Andre Cisco didn’t play more (and earlier) aside from on special teams as there were struggles at safety. With a new coaching staff, Cisco receives a clean slate and should become a significant contributor this season.
Tufele now has had an offseason to get healthy while the team’s other fourth-round pick Jordan Smith needs to assert himself to earn playing time.
Some feel the Jags could reach six wins or more this season. If their 2021 class plays to its potential, that could be a bit easier to achieve.
