Who Is the One Non-Trevor Lawrence Player the Jaguars Can’t Afford To Lose?

No matter the situation, it is clear that every team's most important and irreplaceable player is their quarterback. From the Jacksonville Jaguars to each of the NFL's other 31 teams, the quarterback position is the most critical and influential.

But what about outside of the quarterback position? Then, answers can begin to vary from team to team.

For CBS Sports, that player for the Jaguars is running back Travis Etienne. who led the Jaguars' skill players in yards from scrimmage in his first full NFL season in 2022.

"Why not new WR1 Calvin Ridley? Well, Trevor Lawrence and Co. fared reasonably well without him in 2022. Etienne, on the other hand, is an underrated multipurpose safety valve for the young QB, quietly accounting for 1,400+ scrimmage yards in his debut," CBS said.

With the same question in mind, we have taken it upon ourselves to determine who we think the most irreplaceable non-Trevor Lawrence players are. Etienne is a solid option, but the Jaguars do have a rather deep running back room for an already pass-heavy offense.

If Etienne isn't the answer, though, who is? Here are a few different options.

OLB Josh Allen

Allen himself has said last year wasn't good enough for him. Considering Allen said this after a season in which he was still the Jaguars' most productive and impactful pass-rusher, that shows just how much the Jaguars need Allen. Allen hasn't hit double-digit sacks since his rookie season, but he has still outproduced every other pass-rusher on the roster.

Last year, Allen led the Jaguars with seven sacks, 11 tackles for loss, and 22 quarterback hits, along with four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries, including a fumble recovery for a touchdown. Without Allen, the Jaguars' pass-rush off the edge would come down to Travon Walker, K'Lavon Chaisson, Jordan Smith, and fifth-round rookie Yasir Abdullah, a group that has a combined 6.5 sacks.

TE Evan Engram

The Jaguars have one of the NFL's most productive tight ends from the 2022 season in Evan Engram. Behind him, though, is a trio of young tight ends who all have potential but who are all unproven in Luke Farrell (11 catches in two seasons), Gerrit Prince (zero catches in one season), and second-round rookie Brenton Strange.

Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson has long been known for his ability to get the most out of his tight end room, but there is a reason that Engram saw 98 targets last year while non-Engram tight ends combined for just 25 targets. Pederson isn't afraid to lean on Engram in the middle of the field, but no other Jaguars tight end has proven yet that they can do the same.

CB Tyson Campbell

One of the top players on the Jaguars' entire roster, the former No. 33 overall pick is one of the biggest draft hits the Jaguars have ever had. After being miscast as a slot cornerback early on in his rookie season, Campbell has thrived as an outside cornerback over the last season-and-a-half. Campbell was quietly one of the NFL's most effective and efficient cornerbacks last season, winning matchups week in and week out and having some of the best pass-coverage production of any cornerback over the final stretch of the season.

The Jaguars have another solid cornerback on the roster in Darious Williams, but the depth behind them consists of long-time backup cornerbacks Chris Claybrooks and Tevaughn Campbell and late Day 3 picks like Montaric Brown, Gregory Junior, Christian Braswell, and Erick Hallett. Campbell would be missed simply because he is a top talent, but the depth issue is legitimate, too.

ILB Foyesade Oluokun

One of the most important leaders and voices in Jacksonville's locker room, Foyesade Oluokun's impact goes beyond what he does on the field. While Oluokun is one of the NFL's most productive tacklers and run-stuffers, there is also the fact that Oluokun is the bonafide quarterback of the defense and the depth behind him consists of unproven second-year linebackers in Devin Lloyd and Chad Muma.

The Jaguars are high in Lloyd and Muma and expect each to take a step in 2023, but it would be unfair to expect either to transform themselves overnight into the consistent presence that Oluokun is in the middle of the Jaguars' defense. The Jaguars have a lot of investments at linebacker, but Oluokun is the most important one.

RG Brandon Scherff

While some outside of Jacksonville have been critical of Brandon Scherff's first season in Jacksonville, it is still obvious just how critical Scheff is to Jacksonville's offensive success. While battling injuries in 2022, Scherff still showed top-tier ability as a run-blocker and a blocker in space, becoming a key fixture in what the Jaguars' attempted to scheme in the running and screen game.

Outside of that, there are other reasons Scherff is pivotal to the Jaguars' success. He is the middle man between a second-year center and a rookie offensive tackle, two young players who will need Scheff's consistency and experience to help guide them through the 2023 season. Plus, the Jaguars actually have limited depth at guard to begin with considering the biggest question mark on the line is the left guard position.