The Jaguars tried adding some supporting pieces that QB Blake Bortles can use when he takes over the team.
In the last three years the Jaguars have had the three lowest scoring seasons in franchise history, averaging less than 16 points per game in 48 contests. Releasing RB Maurice Jones-Drew may have been necessary, but the RB the team got to replace him may not even come close to matching his productivity.
Players added:
Red Bryant – DE, Chris Clemons – DE, Toby Gerhart – RB, Zane Beadles – G, Ziggy Hood – DT
A look at each player:
Gerhart is a former Heisman trophy candidate who served as Adrian Peterson’s backup for four straight years. With a career rushing average of 4.7 yards/carry, he is expected to be the workhorse RB in 2014.
Bryant and Clemons were both starters for the Seattle Seahawks defensive line in 2013. Clemons had three straight seasons with 11 or more sacks from 2010 to 2012.
Beadles is a former Pro Bowl guard who started 62 games in four seasons for the Denver Broncos.
Hood played for the Steelers for five years, starting all 16 games in 2012.
Grade: D+
The Jaguars got some good depth and a quality G in Zane Beadles, but the addition of Gerhart and the immediate elevation of him to a starting RB role may not pay the kind of dividends the Jaguars need to improve their scoring – especially if they end up using rookie QB Blake Bortles.
COMMENTS