Who Are the 5 Most Irreplaceable Jaguars in 2023?

Which Jaguars will be the most critical to the Jaguars' path to success this season?

The Jacksonville Jaguars have lofty goals for 2023. 

For the first time in half a decade, the Jaguars are entering a season with big expectations. No false hopes or tanking efforts are in their line of vision. Instead, the Jaguars are one of the most widely-picked favorites to win their division in 2023, and anything but a run to the playoffs will be a disappointment. 

But which Jaguars will be the most important to that goal? Which players can they not afford to lose for any reason? We break it down below.

Trevor Lawrence

This would be obvious in any case. A franchise quarterback is arguably the most important player in all of sports and Trevor Lawrence offers that same kind of value to the Jaguars. Lawrence was one of the NFL's top passers a year ago, showing a rare mixture of physical traits, arm talent and courageous risk-taking that the Jaguars blended with Doug Pederson's ground-up development. 

If the Jaguars were without Lawrence for any time, they would have to get by with C.J. Beathard at the helm. The Jaguars like what Beathard brings to the table and he is an experienced backup, but Lawrence is a rare talent who is able to elevate the entire offense. Lawrence makes his teammates and the Jaguars' scheme look better simply by a default, something no other player on the roster can replicate.

Josh Allen

There is no question who the best pass-rusher on the Jaguars' roster is. In four seasons, Allen has 27.5 sacks. In their combined careers, Travon Walker, K'Lavon Chaisson, Roy Robertson-Harris, DaVon Hamilton, Foley Fatukasi, Jordan Smith, and Adam Gotsis have recorded 38.5, with Walker, Chaisson, and Smith having a combined 6.5 sacks. The Jaguars won't get anywhere without a pass-rush, and they will need Allen to lead that effort. 

Allen is looking for his first double-digit sack season since his 10.5-sack rookie season, but he is still the most consistent force among any of the pass-rushers on the Jaguars' roster. If the Jaguars are going to make plays on defense and impact the quarterback in 2023, then it will be up to Allen to make the biggest splash. 

Tyson Campbell

The Jaguars have a young cornerback room overall, drafting five cornerbacks over the last three drafts, including four in the last two years. The best of their young and inexperienced room is Tyson Campbell, who is a player the Jaguars can genuinely lean on as a No. 1 cornerback. Having a blue-chip cornerback who can keep pace with elite wideouts is a rare luxury, and the Jaguars can take solace in knowing that Campbell gives them that type of option. 

Darious Williams is a good cornerback who can be relied on in big moments, while Tre Herndon is a strong tackler who is always in the right spot. But Campbell is a genuinely elite talent at the cornerback position, making him one of the most important and valuable pieces of the Jaguars' present and future. 

Calvin Ridley 

This may be a bit of a controversial selection because we saw the Jaguars have three different pass-catchers record career seasons in 2022 in Christian Kirk, Zay Jones and Evan Engram. But Calvin Ridley has already shown the ability to be a top-10 receiver in the NFL, something no other player on the roster has displayed despite their productive careers. Ridley has also looked the part in OTAs, looking like the Jaguars; most dynamic pass-catcher in shorts and helmets. 

The Jaguars' offensive attack will rely on being able to attack defenses from a number of angles. The hot hand in the offense will likely change every single week. But no player will be as valuable to the passing game or as feared by opposing defenses as Ridley thanks to his dynamic talent as a route-running and ability to shred secondaries at will.

Brandon Scherff

You won't often find right guards listed as irreplaceable, but it is hard to argue against Brandon Scherff and what he brings to the Jaguars' offense. Scherff is a former All-Pro who is the most consistent performer along the offensive line, helping steady a rookie center in Luke Fortner in 2022. He will have to do same in 2023 as he starts next to rookie right tackle Anton Harrison.

The Jaguars have some questions along the offensive line in terms of overall health and depth. They can't afford to lose their most experienced and battle-tested lineman, especially when the Jaguars' interior group is already one that has to take a step forward in 2023. Scherff will be critical to the Jaguars' success in 2023.