While the draft is yet to arrive, many feel the Jacksonville Jaguars will be better than they were a year ago. Some of that is because they got rid of the man some would say was the worst coach in NFL history, Urban Meyer, but there are other factors that many think helped the Jags improve.
Some think it will be Doug Pederson to propel the Jags, while others believe it will be Trevor Lawrence taking another step that will help the team improve. However, Jags legend Fred Taylor believes it will be a mix of everything mentioned.
Not only does he believe the team will improve, but Taylor is expecting the team to take a drastic leap. On the latest episode of Bussin’ With The Boys, he told hosts Will Compton and Taylor Lewan that he believes the Jags will be over .500.
“I do think that coach Peterson having taken a year off, having some time to evaluate the NFL and know how the game is going now, get creative while he’s at home [will help the team],” Taylor said. “He’s an offensive genius, the things he’s done in Philly for those four years, winning the Super Bowl. [He’s a] former quarterback who’s going to be a great quarterback coach.
“I just think that, along with the quarterback [is huge]. [Lawrence’s] confidence is amazing. I think he’s going to be great man. Now that the drama is gone, he gets to settle down. I’d like to see what Travis Etienne is going to do to help James Robinson to take some pressure off Lawrence. Yeah, I’m expecting the Jags to have a big year — and not just saying that because I’m a former player. Just seeing how all the pieces can fall into play, I think they definitely will win… they will be above 500.”
This all came after Taylor said he believes the Jags were right to fire Meyer after several red flags occurred before and during the season.
As for Taylor’s predictions, they are pretty high. To go from three wins to nine or more won’t be easy when looking at the talent level of the roster, but a strong draft could help the Jags who have the luxury of picking first in most rounds. Something that could also help the Jags is the fact that their strength of schedule ranks seventh in terms of being the easiest.
When looking at Pederson’s stint in Philadelphia he only had a losing season twice. Those seasons were his first and last as the Eagles’ head coach, and he went 7-9 and 4-11, respectively in those seasons. He’s won nine games or more in the other three seasons, so Taylor may be on to something when it comes to believing in the former Super Bowl LII winner.