The Jacksonville Jaguars may have finished in the cellar of the AFC South yet again this past season, but at least there is a reason to hope. Young quarterback Blake Bortles showed improvement towards the end of 2014 and has the Jags organization excited about the future. But to continue to help him develop and reach his potential, Jacksonville will have to add talent around him.
So which areas should they focus on to maximize Bortles' ability?
"Right tackle, tight end, outside linebacker and free safety," John Oehser of Jaguars.com wrote. "Again, that's my 'surmising' and what actually happens largely will depend on who's available.
"It's pretty much accepted the Jaguars will address right tackle sometime this offseason, and it stands to reason their first look would be toward free agency. The position is generally considered thin this year in free agency and if the Jaguars agree with that assessment, then they may first target a player or two and then - in the event that they don't get their targeted players - they could look toward the draft."
Bortles is young and mobile, but that doesn't mean the Jags should subject him to any more punishment than they need to. The team's offensive line allowed 52 sacks in pass protection this past season, 29th worst in the NFL, according to Football Outsiders. Protecting Bortles and giving him the necessary time to make plays is vital to his development as a franchise quarterback.
Another element Jacksonville knows it needs to consider to help Bortles is adding a sure-handed tight end who can bail Bortles out when he's under duress.
"Part of developing a young quarterback is ensuring he has the tools around him to be successful," ESPN NFL Insider Field Yates wrote. "And there are few better security blankets than a natural pass-catcher at the tight end spot. Marcedes Lewis is a sufficient player, but he's set to be a free agent this offseason. A more athletic young tight end to go along with Jacksonville's running backs and intriguing young wide receivers (Allen Robinson, Marqise Lee, Allen Hurns, Ace Sanders) would beef up this offensive nucleus."
