Trevor Lawrence is the Jaguars’ most important player. Analysts might argue whether he’s Jacksonville’s best player, but his status as a franchise quarterback carries ample weight in determining his significance.
But if the most critical position in sports were removed from the equation, edge rusher Josh Allen would take Lawrence’s spot as Jacksonville’s most important player entering the 2024 season, Sporting News analyst Vinnie Iyer assessed while performing the exercise for every NFL team.
[Quarterback] Josh Allen wasn’t eligible for the Bills, but this Josh Allen, the No. 7 overall draft pick a year later in 2019, is. The Jaguars did add 2022 No. 1 overall pick Travon Walker to support Allen, but he remains their most disruptive well-rounded pass rusher.
Lawrence signed the biggest contract in Jaguars history last month, agreeing to a five-year extension worth up to $275 million. Allen stands right behind Lawrence on the list of the historically highest-paid Jags, as he inked a five-year deal worth up to $150 million in April.
Allen did so after setting Jacksonville’s single-season franchise record with 17.5 sacks in 2023, increasing his career total to 45, 10 shy of the Jaguars’ all-time sack leader Tony Brackens’ 55.
Allen added 66 total tackles including 17 for loss, one interception and two forced fumbles last season.
The Jaguars aided Allen and his edge-rushing counterpart, Walker, by bolstering their interior defensive line this offseason. They signed veteran defensive tackle Arik Armstead, who has 33.5 career sacks, during free agency in hopes of a more consistent pass-rushing attack this season and beyond.
Jacksonville also selected two interior defensive linemen during April’s NFL draft: Maason Smith in the second round and Jordan Jefferson in the fourth round.