The NFL Season is nearly upon us. The season kicks off on Wednesday, September 9. Between now and then, we’ll be previewing all 32 NFL Teams along with playoff picks. One team will be previewed each day, beginning with the Super Bowl-winning Seahawks and ending with the New York Jets. Check back each day for the next installment!

Things broke right for the Jaguars in Liam Coen’s first season. A career year from Trevor Lawrence helped the Jaguars power to 13 wins, earning them the AFC South title. But it was a short-lived second season as the Jaguars fell at home to the Buffalo Bills in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs. Can they go further in 2026? Let’s dive in.

Off-Season Changes

The Jaguars didn’t lose a lot of players, but they lost a massive cog in their offense. Travis Etienne, who was one of the top backs in the league in 2025, left for a free agent deal with the New Orleans Saints. That means for the first time since being drafted Lawrence will be playing without his college teammate. Defensively, the team also lost linebacker Devin Lloyd and cornerback Greg Newsome. The team also moved on from veteran receivers Dyami Brown and Tim Patrick.

In free agency, the Jaguars had a somewhat quiet off-season but did add veteran running back Chris Rodriguez. He spent the past three years with the Commanders, rushing for 500 yards and six touchdowns in 2026. He’ll be part of the answer in replacing Etienne this season. Much of the rest of the additions in free agency and the draft were about building up depth and adding key role players in different positions.

Fantasy Impact

Lawrence was QB4 in 2025. Can he repeat that? He has QB1 upside, but I prefer him as a high-end QB2. The big question is the backfield. Second-year backs Bhayshul Tuten and LeQuint Allen will pair with Rodriguez. It seems likely a committee approach with Tuten nominally having the largest role. How will that translate to fantasy? That remains an unknown. I’m trying to stay away, though someone will have at least weekly flex value.

The passing game is similarly a mess. Travis Hunter is expected to start at cornerback, limiting his offensive participation and upside. The team has veterans Brian Thomas, Jr., Jakobi Myers, and Parker Washington as the likely starters. All could contribute. We’d like to see Thomas return to form, but I think he’s likely more of a WR3 along with Washington, who has sneaky fantasy value. I like Myers as more of a WR4. At tight end, Brenton Strange is the starter and should be a TE2.

Prediction

I think the Jaguars will be solid but not the juggernaut they were in 2025. I see them more in the nine- or 10-win range, competing for a Wild Card slot. I wouldn’t be surprised if they miss the playoffs in 2026.

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.