Jaguars PFF grades: Best and worst performers in 2023 season

The Jacksonville Jaguars were supposed to be a dark horse Super Bowl contender. At times, they even looked the part.

An undefeated October, which included wins against the Buffalo Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers, vaulted the Jaguars to the top of the AFC South standings. A November win against the Houston Texans seemed to guarantee that a postseason berth was inevitable.

Then it all came crashing down.

Jacksonville lost five of its last six, including a 28-20 loss to the Tennessee Titans in Week 18 with the season on the line.

Where did it all go wrong? At Pro Football Focus, they graded every player for every play this season. Here’s who they thought stood out most for the Jaguars, and who held the team back from bigger things:

5 highest grades on offense

Peter van den Berg-USA TODAY Sports

1. QB Trevor Lawrence: 79.7
2. RB Travis Etienne Jr: 77.0
3. TE Evan Engram: 71.6
4. WR Calvin Ridley:71.4
5. WR Christian Kirk: 71.1

The Jaguars’ skill-position players were the reason so many expected the team to shine in 2023.

5 lowest grades on offense

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1. C Luke Fortner: 44.2
2. G Ezra Cleveland: 46.0
3. G Tyler Shatley: 47.5
4. TE Brenton Strange: 48.6
5. WR Parker Washington: 51.1

The struggles of the Jaguars’ interior offensive line made life tough for Lawrence, Etienne, and offensive coordinator Press Taylor. Upgrades up front will surely be a top priority for Jacksonville in the offseason.

5 highest grades on defense

Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union

1. OLB Josh Allen: 89.5
2. CB Darious Williams: 79.5
3. S Andrew Wingard:79.4
4. LB Devin Lloyd: 78.1
5. LB Foye Oluokun: 75.2

It’s no surprise that Allen, who was second in the NFL in sacks with 17.5, was the star of the Jaguars defense in PFF’s eyes.

5 lowest grades on defense

Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union

1. DL DaVon Hamilton: 36.2
2. OLB Dawuane Smoot: 42.4
3. DL Jeremiah Ledbetter: 49.0
4. CB Montaric Brown: 51.3
5. DL Angelo Blackson: 53.8

Hamilton looked on track to be a vital part of the Jaguars defense in 2023, but an infection in his back derailed his season and he wasn’t the same player upon his return.

5 highest grades on special teams

Bob Self/Florida Times-Union

1. LS Ross Matiscik: 92.5
2. TE Brenton Strange: 81.1
3. TE Luke Farrell: 76.7
4. S Daniel Thomas: 74.8
5. LB Chad Muma: 71.6

Matiscik earned Pro Bowl honors and, based on the PFF grades, it’s not hard to see why.