By: Kipp Branch

TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services

The Jaguars finally got over the hump in 2017. Winning the AFC South, two playoff games, and letting the New England Patriots off the hook in the AFC title game erased a six year run of losing 11 or more games.

Now with many of the pieces in place to make noise in the AFC what do the Jags do in free agency and the upcoming draft?

Positions of Need:

Quarterback: Blake Bortles played well down the stretch, but is he the answer?

Kirk Cousins would bring a huge price tag in the free agent market but it appears the Jags may not test the market so they need to address the position in the draft.

The Jags are saying all the right things about Bortles during the offseason, but if they draft a QB with one of their first 4 picks then that will be telling.

Someone like Mason Rudolph from Oklahoma State could end up in Jacksonville. Sam Bradford could also be a good insurance policy if Bortles struggles in 2018.

Wide Receiver: Jacksonville has found some quality at the receiver position recently, but it appears both Allen Robinson and Marqise Lee are heading for free agency, more talent at the position is needed.

The Jaguars could also clear $7 million of salary cap space by releasing Allen Hurns. This is going to be a position of huge need for the Jaguars in the draft. Unrestricted FA’s Jarvis Landry, Sammy Watkins, or Danny Amendola would look good in a Jags uniform, and Christian Kirk from Texas A &M would be a good draft pick at the position.

Linebacker: NaVarro Bowman could provide immediate help in the middle of the defense. Prior to injuries Bowman was an elite player in the league, but while he may never return to that form he could still be an impact starter at only 29 years of age.

Tahir Whitehead from the Lions has been a tackling machine in Detroit over the last two seasons. He could help as well.

Current middle linebacker Paul Posluszny is a free agent which opens up a spot, and the Jags need to leave Myles Jack on the outside because he is an outstanding player in space.

Malik Jefferson from Texas or Christian Sam from Arizona State could be draft options for the Jags at the position in the third round.

Offensive Line: If Orlando Brown is there at pick 29 then the Jags need to gobble up the 6’7 340 pound tackle from Oklahoma and move Cam Robinson to guard.

Brown is too good of a prospect to pass up. Braden Smith from Auburn could be a good draft pick from Auburn at OG in the second round if he is still on the board.

The Jags really need to beef up this unit through the draft or free agency. Tom Coughlin will address the OL unit during this draft. You can bank on that because the Jaguars want to run the football with Leonard Fournette right down opposing team’s throats.

Tight End: The Jags need help at the position. Hayden Hurst from South Carolina could be a huge pick up in the later rounds for the Jags at TE and could come in and take the starting job. Hurst was a matchup nightmare for SEC defenses while he was a Gamecock.

The Jags are close to being a Super Bowl contender and now it is time to add the pieces to make this a reality.