Despite a disappointing first round exit in the playoffs, the Jacksonville Jaguars’ 2025 season can generally be considered a success. With a new front office and coaching staff in place and a significant overhaul of the roster, the Jags jumped from four wins to thirteen and won the AFC South. The ultimate goal of course is a Super Bowl, but Liam Coen and James Gladstone will be satisfied with the foundations they have built in year one.

With the offseason already underway for all but four franchises, attention turns to further roster reconstruction. In the first of two articles, we break down which positions the Jaguars will look to address via free agency and the NFL Draft – beginning with offense:

Running Back

This is no slight on the performance of the ground game in Jacksonville in 2025. Lead back Travis Etienne had his best output since his first year on the field, delivering the third 1,000-yard rushing season of his career. Capably backed up by fourth-round pick Bhayshul Tuten and an added scramble element to Trevor Lawrence’s skillset, the Jaguars finished middle of the pack in total rushing yards (1,956) and fourth in the league in rushing touchdowns (22). Consistent, physical but maybe lacking an explosive element, the Jags were able to run the ball enough for Lawrence to take the next step as a passer.

A first-round pick in 2021, Etienne had his option picked up by Jacksonville and is an impending free agent this offseason. Considering his consistency and proficiency as a pass-catcher, there’s a school of thought that he could command more money elsewhere than Gladstone would be willing to offer him. If Etienne does move on, then the Jaguars will be in the market for another ball carrier.

Whether that would be a lead back as a direct replacement depends on the team’s confidence that Tuten can carry a heavier workload. LeQuint Allen Jr., another rookie, had a modest role in 2025 but has flashed as a third down back on occasion. I’m fairly confident the Jaguars won’t want to pour resources into the position, and we could be looking at more of a committee approach in 2026. Either way, it’s probably the biggest need to address.

Wide Receiver

The in-season trade and subsequent extension for Jakobi Meyers, coupled with the ascension of Parker Washington, means that the need for receiver reinforcements is a lot less urgent than it could have been. Meyers, Washington and Brian Thomas Jr. look set for significant roles going into next season, with all three having created chemistry with Trevor Lawrence either this past year or the one before. Thomas will hope his regression in 2025 was nothing more than a sophomore slump – if we’re banking on raw talent, we can be confident of a BTJ renaissance this coming season.

Behind those three, the picture gets murky for two reasons. Firstly – and this will be a repetitive theme for the duration of his time in Duval County – is the team’s plans for Travis Hunter. Gladstone has always been confident in Hunter’s capability to play both sides of the ball for Jacksonville, something he doubled down on last week. The unknown is the number of snaps they anticipate for him; if Hunter is predominantly considered a receiver, then the Jags have their four major pieces in position. If they want him more on defense, they may look to use him in more selective, impactful scenarios in the passing game.

Regardless, the team has two receivers heading into free agency that need to be mitigated for. Dyami Brown’s one season on the team delivered just 227 yards, and Tim Patrick had even less production despite playing in 16 games this past year. More bodies at the receiver position will be coming in, of that there is no doubt; the level of investment, though, will give us a clue about their intentions for Hunter.

Guard

Cole Van Lanen was a nice surprise, wasn’t he! A shot in the dark when Jacksonville sent the Green Bay Packers a seventh-rounder for him in 2022, Van Lanen locked down the blindside in 2025 and parlayed that success into a three-year, $55m extension. With Anton Harrison starring at right tackle and the versatile Walker Little good enough to cover both spots, the outside of the Jaguars’ o-line looks set.

Things are a little less certain on the interior, despite some good money being poured into the position group. Ezra Cleveland is probably a lock to return due to solid performances, and a $7.4m cap hit should he be cut this offseason. Patrick Mekari was less consistent at right guard in his first year since arriving from the Baltimore Ravens, but, like Cleveland, he has a contract that is prohibitive for the Jags to get out of. That flips this time next year, so the smart move for Gladstone and co. would be to find some talent to develop behind the two veteran guards. How many come in depends on Wyatt Milum, who, as a third-round pick, missed the start of the season due to injury. 96 snaps in 2025 is not a large enough sample size to make a firm decision either way.

At center, the Jaguars were pleased with what they got in Robert Hainsey, and even happier with seventh-round rookie Jonah Monheim, who stepped in capably in Hainsey’s absence at various spots last season. Hainsey’s familiarity with Coen’s system was a big plus, and I don’t see the Jags changing things at the pivot.

Jags fans, let us know your thoughts in the comments below!