Jaguars Mailbag: How Can Jacksonville Re-Find Its Mojo?

Throughout the season, we will be taking questions on the biggest questions facing the Jacksonville Jaguars.

You can submit your questions every week by tweeting them to the Jaguar Report Twitter handle or by submitting them here.

This week we take questions on the Jaguars' rookies, the upcoming four-game stretch, and more.

Q: Do you think that the Jaguars would ever consider going WR in round 1 in the Baalke era?

A: Honestly, not really. It just doesn't feel like that is who Baalke is as a general manager, or who Doug Pederson is as a coach. They will take the occasional shot on wide receivers, but it sure does feel like a position where they prefer veteran experience and production over youth and upside. The Jaguars had 2021 and 2022 to add receivers to rooms that badly needed it, and they just didn't. It isn't really in this front office's DNA.

Q: Watching this defense. Do you ever feel like they just don’t set the tone when they play unknown QBs? With Browning and Flacco they just didn't set the tone. Makes me think against Jackson they’ll be ready.

A: I honestly don't know what has gotten into the defense over the past two weeks. Part of me feels like Mike Caldwell's plan has been the send heavy pressure and blitzes in an attempt to force the quarterbacks into negative plays, but the blitzes haven't gotten home and have allowed some wide-open plays in the back-end. Being less aggressive would probably be the answer for Caldwell, but that isn't really who he is.

Q: Hey John! Do you think center, guard, interior D-line or WR is most pressing need this off-season?

A: I absolutely think both interior lines need to be re-worked. The Jaguars might have to replace both guard spots next year, and eventually they will need Luke Fortner to finally play up to his draft spot. Defensively, I expect them to have to replace between two to four interior defensive linemen this offseason, which is a hefty ask.

The wide receiver depth obviously needs to be improved, but I do think both cornerback and pass-rusher need to be included. The Jaguars' cornerback depth is simply too shallow and Darious Williams isn't getting younger. Meanwhile, the Jaguars have just one established pass-rusher on the team in Josh Allen.

Q: What, if any, coaching staff changes would you make? From Doug all the way down.

A: Call me crazy, but I am not sure I would make any. I truly feel like a lot of the issues this year haven't been coaching-related, plus I think people make too much of a deal about the impact of position coaches to begin with. But Doug Pederson is a good coach, Mike Caldwell has improved as a coordinator, and Press Taylor isn't any worse than the average coordinator.

Q: If you had to decide now would you re-sign Ridley?

A: I would for two reasons.

For one, who are you replacing him with that is better? They aren't going to make a run at Tee Higgins. They didn't draft an outside receiver in 2023, so replacing Ridley with a rookie wouldn't exactly go a long way.

Secondly, I think Ridley's contract will probably be much more affordable than most people think. Add in his reputation before 2023 and his lack of explosive production in 2023, and which teams are lining up to pay him $20 million a year? At his likely price, he should be a steal.

Q: Will the Jaguars get Tee Higgins or any WR this off season?

A: I do think the Jaguars will look into adding a bigger wide receiver to the mix this offseason, but I don't think they make a run at Tee Higgins. They already have too much money invested in the receiver room, and Higgins will likely command one of the highest receiver contracts in the NFL.

Q: Is Calvin Ridley better than a 2nd WR draft pick?

A: Yes. If nobody called Ridley a No. 1 wide receiver this offseason, then nobody would be upset with 55 catches for 742 yards and five touchdowns. It isn't an exact comparison, but here are the four second-round receivers from the 2023 class:

Jonathan Mingo: 36 catches for 377 yards and zero touchdowns.
Jayden Reed: 48 catches for 540 yards and five touchdowns.
Rashee Rice: 59 catches for 663 yards and six touchdowns.
Marvin Mims: 19 catches for 298 yards and one touchdown.

I understand the frustration with Ridley, but would it make much sense to expect more consistency with a rookie? I don't think so.

Q: In hindsight, it looks like a good day 1 and day 3 of the 2023 draft. Good process to trade down on day 1 and a couple of intriguing pieces were collected on day 3. Was #BaalkeBall asleep at the wheel on day 2? Who do you think would have been better options during round 2 and round 3?

A: I agree with you. I think Anton Harrison is the best pick Trent Baalke and the Jaguars have made over the last two drafts, while Day 3 picks like Antonio Johnson, Parker Washington, Yasir Abdullah, Tyler Lacy, and Cooper Hodges all have promise.

Day 2, though, looks rough right now. Taking a No. 3 tight end and a No. 3 running back in the top-100 only works when you have an elite roster, and the Jaguars don't have anything near that right now. I am of the opinion that Tyrique Stevenson, D.J. Turner, or O'Cyrus Torrence would have all been better value picks in the short- and long-term than Brenton Strange. As for the third-round, I think you can sub in any offensive lineman or defensive back.

Q: Cooper Hodges seemed to get some hype in training camp before his injury. Do you see him as a realistic option to help the interior offensive line?

A: Maybe next year. He isn't going to come off injured reserve this year, but he will likely at least get a look in training camp next year. That isn't as good as being expected to have a role, but it is better than entering camp with no momentum.

Q: I thought Tyson Campbell played well against the Bengals after his injury. What are the chances we get him back for the Ravens?

A: I doubt it as of right now. He wasn't on the practice field on Wednesday, which doesn't bode well. Maybe he improves as the week goes on, but if you don't practice during the week under Pederson, then you aren't going to play. I expect them to be without both Campbell and Andre Cisco this week.

Q: Any word on when the goal return date for Cam Robinson will be back?

A: Not yet, but I get the impression they would want to wait until the playoffs. If, for whatever reason, the Jaguars need a win in Week 18 to make the playoffs, maybe that changes things. Otherwise, the offensive line is what it is for right now.

Q: Hi, John. Do you feel it's possible to fix both the interior and defensive lines this offseason?

A: I am a firm believer that you can't fill every single need in one offseason, but I do think the Jaguars can be smart with their draft capital and cap space in free-agency to at least make progress. They would need big seasons from rookies, though, and for players like Luke Fortner, Roy Robertson-Harris and DaVon Hamilton to play better. If that can happen, then I could see it.

Q: Why does it seem outside of the Tennessee game, the Jags can’t piece together a whole team performance? How much of this is on Pederson and the complacency the team showed going into the season. Also, why Josh Pederson? Is there any reason besides that Doug can’t cut his own son?

A: I honestly think most of it has to do with execution and not coaching. The further this season has gone along, the more frequent the mistakes from the Jaguars on the field that just don't feel like coaching mistakes. If there was a schematic or technique issue, that's different. But most of their issues have felt like players simply not making the plays in front of them.

As for Josh Pederson, I don't think its a big deal. He has played seven offensive snaps all season and has only been active for two games. He is basically what most teams would get out of their No. 4/practice squad tight end.