2023 NFL Combine: What Rumors Are Flying About the Jaguars in Indianapolis?
The NFL Scouting Combine is like no other event in sports.
Yes, it is a theatrical and, frankly, overcovered sporting event where the next generation of stars run and jump in front of hundreds of media members, coaches, scouts, executives, and more.
But it is also the meeting ground for the NFL offseason. If there is business to be done in the offseason, it starts at the combine as all 32 teams meet in one city.
As a result, there is no better place for the NFL's always-churning rumor mill to be fed a healthy diet of rumors, leaks, predictions, and more.
After speaking with several scouts and coaches who faced the Jaguars in 2022 while in Indianapolis, we have wrapped up all of the best Jaguars-related rumors we heard.
For context purposes: every person interviewed was granted anonymity so they could speak freely about another team and their players.
How has Trent Baalke's reputation changed in a year?
Considering where the Jaguars' franchise was during the Urban Meyer debacle, it is clear the Jaguars have taken serious steps toward being a franchise that every other team has to take seriously. This hasn't always been the case for Jacksonville, with even last offseason being defined by rumors of coaching candidates not wanting to work with general manager Trent Baalke. A year later, though, and Baalke can have the last laugh.
"Did any GM do more for his rep this year than Trent? I don't think so," one NFC scout said on Tuesday night. "He has always been a good evaluator. He doesn't try to reinvent the wheel. He works as hard as any other GM in the league. He got a bad rap for what seemed like no reason. Hopefully now he gets the respect he deserves."
Judging from this conversation, it is clear that the negative opinions thrown Baalke's direction in the 2022 offseason were far from a consensus. The Jaguars earned rave reviews in Indianapolis for their free agent and draft class, as well as the development of their second-year players.
"They have had two good drafts in a row. Trent has done as good of a job drafting as any GM in the [AFC] South," the scout said.
Who do people think the Jaguars will target at No. 24?
The Jaguars and Trent Baalke will never reveal their cards on an open mic, but it does seem like the rest of the league feels like their needs are fairly evident. After spending big last free agency on skill players and then acquiring Calvin Ridley at the trade deadline, the Jaguars' defensive needs are more glaring on paper than their offensive needs ... and that is just how the NFL sees it.
"Defense, defense, defense," an AFC scout told Jaguar Report. "That team has always loved taking defenders in the first round. They took two last year when we thought they would focus on the offense for their young QB. I bet they take a DB after their pass coverage issues last year. We all expect them to do that at least."
But which DB makes sense?
"The Texas A&M safety (Antonio Johnson) seems like their type of guy. He is physical as anyone else in the draft. Not sure where he would play for them, but he is tough as nails. I bet they will probably be high on [Kelee] Ringo and Joey Porter's son too."
Another scout said he believes the Jaguars could surprise people and still pick offensive, however, with Doug Pederson's background playing a big role.
"Wouldn't Doug want another tight end? They have nobody outside of [Evan] Engram," an NFC Scout said. "Doug loved using two tight ends in Philly. Trust me, he killed us with it. I think he could see someone like Mayer or the Georgia tight end [Darnell Washington] fall and take them because they can block and compliment who they already have. We need a tight end and we have them circled as a team who we could be competing with."
Could Jalen Ramsey and the Jaguars actually reunite?
One of the biggest storylines in Indianapolis this week is undoubtedly Jalen Ramsey. The Los Angeles Rams cornerback will likely be the most talked-about trade candidate this offseason after recent reports and comments from the former Jaguar cornerback. With Ramsey obviously still having some positive feelings for Jacksonville, do people in the NFL think he could actually reunite with the Jaguars?
"Two words: Hell. No.," an AFC Scout told Jaguar Report. "I bet the Khan's wouldn't allow him back in the building after what he did. He probably regrets leaving Jacksonville by now even though he got paid and a ring."
"Why would the Jaguars want him back?" an NFC defensive coach said. "They are doing fine on their own and they have a good cornerback already in [Tyson] Campbell. I just don't see it. It would be one of the most shocking trades of my NFL career. Really."
What the league thinks about Jawaan Taylor
One of the biggest free agents on the Jaguars' roster is undoubtedly right tackle Jawaan Taylor. The former second-round draft pick just had a career season and is expected to draw significant interest on the market if the Jaguars don't re-sign him, which seems to be the expectation in Indianapolis.
"We have done a ton of work on him," one AFC offensive assistant coach said. "He isn't the best run-blocker on any line but he is young, he has stayed healthy, and he looks like his best ball is in front of him. They have a weird situation at tackle but we think he will be a free agent and we will go after him."
"The way he played against Bosa and Mack should earn him any contract he wants," an AFC Pro Scout told Jaguar Report. "Our feeling is he will be a free agent. You can't tag a right tackle. He will probably one of the highest-paid OL in this year's group because it isn't very deep or top-heavy and he is a young guy with upside. I would keep him if I was them, but his agent [Drew Rosenhaus] will probably fight to let him be a FA."
Why the league thinks Evan Engram is a lock to stay in Jacksonville
With Evan Engram set to be a free agent on March 15, there are a lot of reasons to believe the NFL should be doing extensive homework on the former first-rounder who just had a career season. But when speaking to those in Indianapolis, that just doesn't seem like the case.
"The Jaguars won't let him leave. It isn't a secret. Every team knows it," an AFC Pro Scout said. "Lots of teams would be after him if they let him hit free agency because he has proven he can be a big weapon at a position where not many guys are weapons. But all of our indications are to not even waste our time on him because every team thinks he is staying."
How good does the NFL think Trevor Lawrence can be?
Trevor Lawrence isn't close to being near his ceiling; that much everyone in the NFL knows. The 2021 No. 1 overall pick took a major step forward in 2022, especially over the second half of the season as he became one of the most efficient quarterbacks in football. Doug Pederson and Trent Baalke made sure to explain on Tuesday that they expect Lawrence to be even better next year as he has another year of experience, growth in Pederson's system, and chances to grow as a leader.
But what about the rest of the league? The Jaguars think they have a potential MVP-caliber quarterback on their hands. In Indianapolis, it was hard to find someone who didn't agree with them.
"Trevor was more raw coming out of Clemson than people thought. That system didn't prepare him for the NFL, and then he had to deal with Urban as a rookie," an AFC scout told Jaguar Report. "The way he played at the end of the season is how we graded him coming out of Clemson. He can make every throw. He is smart but aggressive at the same time. He rarely makes the same mistakes twice. I think he will have an MVP in the next five seasons."
"He was one of the best quarterbacks we faced all year," an AFC Defensive assistant told Jaguar Report. "He made some throws that shouldn't have been possible against our structure and coverages. He will be a little too risky at times, but it seems like it is because he knows he can make throws nobody else can make as opposed to being a dumb player. He is going to be a problem for a decade."
Which Jaguars scared opposing coaches the most in 2022?
Speaking with three coaches who played against the Jaguars in 2022, we asked each to give us the Jaguars' most dangerous player who wasn't named Trevor Lawrence.
NFC Defensive Coach: "[Evan] Engram is just such a good fit with Doug [Pederson]. They get him open and there are not a lot of answers for him once he has the ball. Tough kid. Great speed and size. Looked like the first-rounder he was drafted as."
AFC Defensive Coach: "The running back [Travis Etienne] is annoying as hell to defend. You will have every gap filled and he will still be able to bounce it outside and outrun the defense. He looked raw so he should get better. His speed is legit."
AFC Offensive Coach: "Tyson Campbell didn't allow us to do anything on his side. Probably the most underrated corner we faced. He can run, he has ball skills, and he will actually tackle. He is a really good player."
