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10 NFL teams poised to be better in 2016

By John Buhler

Jun 14, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans quarter back Marcus Mariota (8) passes the ball during mini camp practice at Saint Thomas Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 14, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans quarter back Marcus Mariota (8) passes the ball during mini camp practice at Saint Thomas Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jul 29, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) drops to throw a pass during training camp at Practice Fields at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 29, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) drops to throw a pass during training camp at Practice Fields at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

Jacksonville Jaguars. 2. player. 52. . AFC. South

Though they went only 5-11 last season and ended up getting the No. 5 overall draft pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars are one of two teams in the AFC that are knocking on the door of being a strong football team for a long time. The question is if Gus Bradley will be the guy calling the shots on the sideline.

The Jaguars have largely stunk for much of the last decade after joining the NFL in the mid-1990s with a bang. The Tom Coughlin era was outstanding, the Jack Del Rio era faded fast, the Mike Mularkey era was forgettable, and the Bradley era is in a big decision year.

Fortunately for Bradley, he does have a fantastic general manager in David Caldwell, an innovative owner in Shahid Khan, and most importantly, he has a Pro Bowl caliber franchise quarterback in Blake Bortles. Bortles is still a bit of a gunslinger, but he did flourish running one of the best aerial attacks in football in 2015 under offensive coordinator Greg Olson. Having a superstar in the making at wideout in Allen Robinson and a top-tier tight Julius Thomas will only aid in Bortles’ growth in year three.

Not only did Bortles improve, but one could argue that Jacksonville did more to improve its football team in both free agency and the NFL Draft than any club in the NFL. Jacksonville made some strong free agency acquisitions by grabbing defensive lineman Malik Jackson from the Denver Broncos, cornerback Prince Amukamara from the New York Giants, and running back Chris Ivory from the New York Jets.

Jacksonville crushed it with its first two picks in the NFL Draft. The Jaguars took elite defensive back prospect Jalen Ramsey out of nearby Florida State University at No. 5. They also took advantage of a high-risk/high-reward type player in UCLA Bruins linebacker Myles Jack at the top of the second round.

Overall, Jacksonville should have the offensive personnel to compete for a playoff spot this season. The bigger question is if the Jaguars have done enough to improve on the defensive side of the ball. Bradley is on the hot seat more than any coach in the NFL entering 2016, but should have the best team he’s worked with since being the Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator back in 2012.

Next: 1. Oakland Raiders.

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