JAGUARS FANTASY NEWS

February 25, 2006 1:00 PM ET

The Jaguars went 12-4, beat both Super Bowl teams, and returned to the playoffs for the first time since their loss in the 1999 AFC title game. Unfortunately, they found themselves stuck in the AFC South behind the Colts, which meant they had to hit the road for their playoff opener and wound up losing to the two-time defending champion Patriots.

However, the Jaguars are certainly pointed in the right direction, with enough cap room to fill needs and young talent in place at many key positions. Jack Del Rio has instilled an aggressive attitude in his team, resembling the way he played linebacker for the Cowboys and Vikings more than a decade ago.

For Jacksonville to take the next step, they'll need to find a way to get past Indianapolis and earn a division title and the home games that come with it. As their stellar record indicates, they're not that far off.

Needs
The Jaguars' roster is loaded with talent, but that's not to say there aren't areas in need of an upgrade. The good news is, they're solid at the top with Byron Leftwich and David Garrard at quarterback. In each of the past two seasons Leftwich has suffered an injury just as he appeared to take his game to the next level. Last season, Garrard showed why he attracted so much offseason free agent interest by pacing the squad to four wins in five starts while Leftwich nursed a broken leg. Obviously, the team's future lies with the former first-round pick, but having Garrard as insurance means the Jags don't miss a beat if Lord Byron is felled.

At running back, the Jaguars have plenty of bodies but may be in the market for one of the elite backs in free agency this offseason. Fred Taylor continues to tease with a quality effort every now and again, but he's proven far too brittle for the team to depend upon. LaBrandon Toefield was drafted to be a third-down back and Taylor understudy, but he's done little to convince Jags management he's the heir apparent. Fullback Greg Jones has also seen time in the one-back set, but the team isn't likely to trust him with the full-time gig, either. Adding a back like Edgerrin James—whose fondness for the Sunshine State is well-documented—could push the Jacksonville offense over the top; the added benefit of plundering the roster of the team they're chasing in the division would be a bonus.

The Jags have selected a wide receiver in the first round of each of the past two drafts, yet they still don't have a clear-cut successor to the aging Jimmy Smith. Matt Jones flashed athletic ability but was inconsistent, while Reggie Williams is rapidly approaching R. Jay Soward on the Jacksonville receiver bust list. Ernest Wilford moved into the starting lineup ahead of his higher-drafted brethren, but he's not the solution, either. The Jags could be shopping for a veteran receiver in free agency, but it's unlikely they'd spend a high pick at the position for a third consecutive year.

Conversely, Jacksonville has the luxury of a late pick in a draft that's stocked with tight end talent. Kyle Brady has far too large a cap number to be of value, and George Wrighster has done nothing to wrest the starting job from Brady. Don't be surprised if one of the Jags' Day One picks nets help at this position.

Just a year or two ago, the Jaguars had in place one of the best young offensive lines in football. However, that window may be starting to close; it doesn't help that former second-round pick Mike Pearson hasn't recovered fully from knee surgery and ended up losing his job to rookie Khalif Barnes—another second-round pick. The Jags have a knack for landing quality offensive linemen in round two—in addition to Pearson and Barnes, Center Brad Meester and right tackle Maurice Williams are all second-round picks—and may want to do so again to ensure depth and the continuity of Leftwich's protectors.

Depth will also be a concern on the defensive side of the ball; while 10 of 11 offensive starters are under contract for 2006, the Jags could be facing life without two starters and several key reserves. Linebacker Akin Ayodele and cornerback Kenny Wright are both free agents, along with defensive linemen Marcellus Wiley and Rob Meier. The Jags will welcome back safety Donovin Darius, who missed the majority of last season after blowing out his knee in week two, but in a division where every team has a first-round pick at quarterback, secondary help is always welcome.

Salary Cap Situation
The Jaguars are approximately $16 million under the projected $92 million cap for 2006.

Unrestricted Free Agents
C Dennis Norman, T Mike Pearson, T Ephraim Salaam, DT Rob Meier, DE Marcellus Wiley, LB Akin Ayodele, LB Jamie Winborn, CB Kenny Wright, CB Terry Cousin, S Deke Cooper

Restricted Free Agents
RB LaBrandon Toefield, WR Cortez Hankton, TE George Wrighster, G Vince Manuwai, LB Tony Gilbert, LB Tracy White

Free Agent Signings
None.

The Draft
Holding the 28th pick may seem a bit harsh for a team that couldn't even win its own division, but the Jags have the luxury of matching needs with the deepest areas of the 2006 draft.

Should Jacksonville opt for secondary help, options such as Clemson's Tye Hill, Ohio State's Ashton Youboty, and Florida State's Antonio Cromartie give them plenty to choose from. And if a tight end is on the docket, UCLA's Marcedes Lewis could easily still be on the board.

Most likely, after three straight years of using first-round picks on offense, the Jaguars will tab one of the promising young cornerbacks as their top pick. However, tight end options such as USC's Dominique Bird or Notre Dame's Anthony Fasno should be available when the Jags make their second pick, 60 selections into Day One of the draft.

Injury Watch
Leftwich returned from his broken leg—too soon, some might argue—to start the Jags' playoff loss to the Patriots; there's no reason to think he won't be ready for Jacksonville's offseason minicamps, or to believe he's not the clear-cut starter and Garrard the understudy. Barnes finished the Jags' finale on a broken leg as well, but he too will have had plenty of recovery time prior to the start of preparations for the 2006 season. The same can't be said for Pearson, who continues to battle back from knee surgery almost two full years ago. Darius, the heart and soul of the Jacksonville secondary, had reconstructive knee surgery in September and may be limited during offseason workouts, but is expected to be at full go for the start of the regular season. Taylor, who seems to get hurt more frequently than a teenage girl's feelings, missed five games last year with an assortment of injuries and apparently just to rest; trusting him in your fantasy backfield is riskier than hunting with the vice president.

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