The 2022 offseason was a roller coaster ride for Jacksonville Jaguars fans, but the team did come out of it better than they were in 2021. They named a new head coach in Doug Pederson and signed notables like receiver Christian Kirk and linebacker Foyesade Oluokun in free agency, to name a few. They also lost a few notables this offseason, like Andrew Norwell and D.J. Chark in free agency, and center Brandon Linder to retirement.
Then in the draft, they mostly focused on the defense adding linebackers Travon Walker, Devin Lloyd, and Chad Muma, all of whom should help them against the run and pass. They also found the team a successor for Linder in Kentucky center Luke Fortner in the third round.
Still, several people in the football community felt they didn’t quite do enough although they certainly didn’t have a bad offseason. Pro Football Focus is among that bunch and gave the Jags a C+ offseason grade.
Their free agency grade was listed as “below average,” and their draft grade was a C+. Their free agency grade matched eight other teams, so 23 teams were rated better. Three other teams had a C+ draft grade like the Jags, while only one team had a worse grade (New England).
Their free agency grade was listed as “below average,” and their draft grade was a C+. Their free agency grade matched eight other teams, so 23 teams were rated better. Three other teams had a C+ draft grade like the Jags, while only one team had a worse grade (New England).
The grades given to the Jags aren’t shocking, especially their free agency grade due to not signing a superstar caliber player. However, it’s worth noting that the Jags helped themselves a lot against the run, which is where they struggled the most defensively. In a division like the AFC South, that’s an undervalued trait that could help them stay in games.
As for the draft, it didn’t help PFF’s opinion that the Jags passed on the player they viewed as the best in the draft, Aidan Hutchinson. Still, a C+ is a little low for a team that got great value with the selections of Lloyd and Muma.
Time will tell if all these pieces fit together properly, but if the Jags surpass six wins, the argument could be made that PFF undervalued their offseason.
