Jacksonville Jaguars 21.8 PPG, Sacks 40: 25th

The 2023 Jacksonville Jaguars were a bit of a disappointment for the expectations they had going into the season. Their defense was average, but they could not generate any pressure ranking in the bottom ten in sacks with 40. 

They also gave up the seventh most yards per game, 239.8, much of which was blamed on the secondary. The Jaguars added Ronald Darby and Darnell Savage to a trio of draft picks in hopes of helping the secondary. But third year defensive lineman, and first overall pick, Travon Walker must step it up.

Josh Hines-Allen lived up to the pressure earning his career best in sacks, earning a new contract in the process. If Walker takes a third year jump the secondary (and overall) numbers will improve. He is young and jumps usually happen in the second or third season. Walker still has time, and there is a great deal to be optimistic about in 2024.

2024 Prediction: 17th

The Jaguars should benefit from a better defense, but everyone in their division has a quarterback who should improve from last season… after all they were all 2023 draft picks. AFC South games should be entertaining football, and the Jaguars could have big games those days.

They will need more from a secondary that hasn’t shown the ability to produce stops, but could be aided with more sacks from Hines-Allen and Walker. They do not have to worry about their leader, but more on him later. 

There are big question marks on Chad Muma and Devin Lloyd as both have yet to show consistent growth at the NFL level. They are listed as starters, but weak links in the defense. Overall the Jags numbers could go up, but they are not a reliable plug and play D/ST in standard leagues.

BEST FF IDPs: In Order of Ranking

LB – Foyesade Oluokun

DL – Josh Hines-Allen

DB – Darnell Savage 

In case you have been living on a rock orbiting around Uranus, let it be known that Foyesade Oluokun is THE MAN! He is the only player to lead a fantasy football position for three years in a row (standard league settings). He was the 2021 and 2022 leading combined tackler (192 and 184 respectively), and the leading solo tackler for 2022 and 2023 (128 and 111). The only fantasy player, at any position, to have this achievement in at least a decade and a half!

What is even more impressive is he did that on two different teams, proving to be scheme and personal proof. He is the best IDP player of this century, He has four straight seasons with over 100 tackles, and 173 or more in every season he plays a full schedule! 

It is not an exaggeration to say that Foyesade Oluokun is the best fantasy football player of this decade, century, and best IDP since Reggie White. He could really seal the deal with another leading tackle performance, joining an elite group of linebackers to lead a category for three years. 

Oddly enough Oluokun does not have one Pro Bowl or All Pro to his resume. Clay Matthews Sr. and Jessie Tuggle are the only players to lead the league in combined tackles for four seasons… neither of them are in the NFL Hall of Fame.

Oluokun is the only player to lead the league in solo tackles in back-to-back seasons, since the statistic originated (1994). He is one of four players to have back-to-back season leading combined tackles. Matthews Sr., Tuggle, and Kyle Clfton the others to do so. Oluokun is a special player.

The voting committee may miss on All-Time great linebackers, but fantasy football managers do not! At least not good ones. Foyesade Oluokun is the best of the best, and he is almost always one of the first five IDPs drafted, if not the first. Go get him and smile proudly, knowing you have one of the best football players to ever play the game. 

Josh Hines-Allen has been a consistent IDP throughout his career. He has 251 tackles and 45 sacks over essentially four years (injury 2020). He spiked last year with 17.5 sacks, only TJ watt recorded more with 19. Can he replicate it now that he is paid though? 

Some may be strictly financially motivated, but that is not the case with Hines-Allen. He mentioned meeting Jaguar legends, and watching Tony Boseli being inducted in the Hall of Fame, and he hoped to join him one day. Hines-Allen stated that he wants to be included as the best Jaguars of all-time, and he knows the combination of winning and producing sacks will put him on that selective group. 

He is scheduled to be a Jaguar for a decade, and he is a valuable IDP for fantasy football rosters. He is not expensive as Maxx Crosby, TJ Watt, Myles Garrett, and other pass rushers get drafted before him. Grab Josh Hines-Allen and know you have a player capable of leading the league in sacks on your roster.

Darnell Savage was a tough decision as Walker could have an improved third year. However Savage is a veteran and plays in the nickel corner position. This should be an advantage schematically for fantasy football, but a better fit than safety which he played for the Green Bay Packers.

He will be closer to the line and playing quicker routes, allowing for more tackle opportunities. Savage was brought in to improve the defense and his tackling has never been a question. 

Do not reach for him, but if drafting with the popular notion of waiting on defensive backs, Savage could be a good fit. If the Jaguars do not improve their offense, the defense will have a high snap count again, meaning Savage would earn even more opportunities.

Tomorrow the Atlanta Falcons.

Thank you for reading, please leave any feedback here or on my X account @IDP_Iggy

Bet Smart, Be Lucky – Iggy

All statistics come from pro-football-reference and Sleeperbot.