Jaguars Mailbag: What Does the Texans Matchup Really Mean?

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' Week 12 battle vs. the Texans, Doug Pederson and more.

Q: Do you think this year’s draft class has the potential to develop in ‘24 and beyond?

A: I do. I think the Jaguars hit on Antonio Johnson, even if that means just finding a special teams ace on Day 3. I also think Anton Harrison has shown the flashes and traits you want to see from a young right tackle. Brenton Strange may not live up to his draft status because of his role, but he has a lot of promise as a blocker and a bit player in the passing game, too. Tyler Lacy and Yasir Abdullah look like, at the very least, they belong as depth players.

I have more questions about the rest of the draft class, but there are enough encouraging signs from rookies to be optimistic about the class and its potential impact next year and beyond.

Q: Beyond the 49ers being the better defense why did the quick passes work so much better against the Titans?

A: I think the Jaguars simply executed better, and this is largely because of the giant shift in the quality of the opponent. The 49ers look like arguably the best team in the NFL right now and that is largely because of their defense. The Titans look like one of the NFL's worst teams, and their defense more or less reflects that. With an easier opponent, the Jaguars had few issues.

Q: I’ve always been a big fan of when the Jags use Agnew in unique rushes, is there another Jag that could potentially be that Deebo for the jags?

A: I am not sure how many players in the NFL can do what Deebo does. One of the only ones likely already plays on his own team. I do think Travis Etienne can be used in exciting ways, and the same goes for Christian Kirk and even Calvin Ridley. None are Deebo, but they are all versatile and can play up and down the formation.

Q: Despite limited snaps what are your thoughts on Brenton Strange?

A: I think he has a lot of potential as a yards after catch threat. He is a strong, explosive, and aggressive ball-carrier who doesn't shy away from contract but who can also run away from defenders. I am still unsure of what else he brings to the passing game at this point, but the athletic traits are there for him to develop as a route runner. I am impressed by him as a blocker, however, and think he will get even better as he gets more experience. The versatility he provides from a schematic perspective is extensive.

Q: Would you rather have Tee Higgins or Calvin Ridley next year?

A: Calvin Ridley for one reason: Tee Higgins, while immensely talented, has never played more than 75% of his team's snaps in a season. Ridley seems like the more reliable week-in and week-out starter in terms of availability, plus will likely be a good bit cheaper.

Q: What are your thoughts on moving Travon Walker inside on early downs and then moving to the edge on obvious pass plays?

A: I think it would make sense if the Jaguars added another edge rusher who you could trust on base downs. I don't think they can do it this year. Walker is valuable on the edge on base downs because he can effectively take tight ends out of the running game. But a big reason he was supposed to be a top prospect was because of the versatility that his skill-set and athleticism provided. It doesn't make much sense to line Walker up on the edge on every single down, to me, when he has the traits to effectively make an impact up and down the line. But until the Jaguars find another starting-caliber edge rusher, it won't happen.

Q: Any thoughts on why Chaisson is getting more snaps than Yasir?

A: I think the Jaguars simply prefer Chaisson's experience and special teams ability. Chaisson hasn't been an overly efficient pass-rusher, but there is at least merit to him likely being a bit more game-ready as things stand today, even if Abdullah has a higher upside.

Q: Why is the Jags offensive lacking in explosives this year compared to last? Is it Oline, Receivers or Trevor coming off his receivers to fast and taking checkdowns? Also, why are they bad in general because Etienne hasn’t had hardly any explosive runs like last season as well.

A: I think the Jaguars have just gone to playing offense horizontally instead of vertically because they don't trust the protection to hold up. The Jaguars have made an emphasis on quick-hitting routes and passing concepts that demand the ball to come out of Trevor Lawrence's hands at a higher rate than he has ever done before, and I think that is because the Jaguars don't trust their offensive line to hold up for longer-developing plays downfield.

Q: If Press was gone after this season (for whatever reason), who of the available names would you want to see in his place?

A: I do not think that happens this offseason. I think it would make sense to promote someone internally, such as Mike McCoy. If they hired externally, I would honestly say David Culley would be an interesting potential option.

Q: In your opinion, what areas do the Jaguars need to improve in the remaining portion of the regular season?

A: I think they need to start getting more out of the running game. We have seen this year how often the Jaguars' passing game opens up when even the threat of a rushing attack is prevalent. The Jaguars haven't been efficient running the ball, and they haven't been particularly consistent with their deployment of the running game to set up the pass, either.

Q: Happy Thanksgiving John. My question for you is the Niners and Texans have similar offenses. What do you think the Texans take from that Niners' tape to attack this Jags' defense?

A: I think one thing the 49ers (and the Texans in Week 3) did well was using eye candy to force the Jaguars to think and react a tick slower. Misdirections, motions before and at the snap, and play-action have all had a lot of success against the Jaguars because the defense relies on communication and synergy between the front and the coverage. When anyone is thrown even a little off their game, it causes an overall breakdown. Throwing things like that at the Jaguars' defense is one way to prevent them from playing cohesively and instinctually, two things they do extremely well in most circumstances.

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