Jaguars May Hold the Secret Weapon in AFC South Division Race

The Jacksonville Jaguars have made a habit of disappointing their fanbase on a yearly basis. Many thought that things would turn around last season after drafting franchise QB Trevor Lawrence and bringing in Urban Meyer to coach. How did that go? The Jaguars finished 3-14 and Meyer got fired in December after numerous issues on and off the field. 

Cut to 2022 and expectations are tempered, but still optimistic by many. According to Jonathan Jones at CBS Sports, this excitement for next season might be warranted. But not because of the player you might think. 

According to Jones, second-year running back Travis Etienne was very impressive at Jags camp this week. He even went as far as to compare him to Deebo Samuel, who had an amazing breakout season as a dual-threat WR/RB for the San Francisco 49ers. That is some high praise for a guy who is entering his sophomore season year played exactly zero snaps in the NFL. Etienne is making his way back from a Lisfranc injury that took his rookie season from him after being selected by the Jags in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. 

It seems that the Jags might be planning to take a page from the 49ers book and have Etienne working out as a WR. Jones even goes so far as to say “the wide receiver I couldn't stop watching was running back Travis Etienne.” The young RB stated afterward that he wasn’t planning to change positions but wanted to contribute more across different positions. 

The two-time ACC Offensive Player of the Year at Clemson has the talent to be a multi-use tool and the Jaguars need all the help they can get on offense. The offense will do as good or as bad as Lawrence does. But, if these two develop a good on-file relationship, the Jaguars might make good on their promise to resurrect this dying franchise.