Jaguars RB Travis Etienne looks fully recovered from last year's Lisfranc injury, according to Sports Illustrated's John Shipley. "Etienne's explosion and ability to quickly cut and make breaks stood out during pass-catching drills," Shipley wrote after watching OTAs. A healthy Etienne has breakout potential this season.
Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence looks better now than he did a year ago at this time, according to Sports Illustrated's John Shipley. Lawrence "looks more decisive and sure of himself when it comes to delivering the ball, especially in tight windows," Shipley observed. Lawrence is coming off a disappointing rookie season. But we're expecting a big year-2 leap under a new coaching staff and with an improved group of pass-catchers. He's a value in early best-ball drafts, going in Round 10 at FFPC and Round 13 at Underdog.
Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence has been impressed by WR Christian Kirk this offseason. "He’s great. Just from a football IQ sense, I think he’s really quarterback friendly," Lawrence said. "The way he sees the field, different coverages unfold, the way he runs his routes, I just think he’s quarterback friendly. And then obviously his speed is something that we really needed and it’s going to help us a lot." Jacksonville gave Kirk a boatload of money in free agency -- $72 million over 4 years, with $37 million guaranteed -- making him the favorite to lead the team's WRs in targets this season. Kirk is a solid value at his 11th-round ADP in FFPC best-ball drafts.
Jaguars HC Doug Pederson said Monday that RB Travis Etienne is a "full go" for OTAs this week, according to NFL.com. Etienne is coming off a Lisfranc injury that cost him his entire rookie season. But the fact that he's all the way back for on-field work this early in the 2022 cycle removes his primary concern. We'll watch for setbacks, but consider us excited for Etienne's fantasy upside this season (and beyond).
Per league inside Jeff Howe, the Patriots “sound ecstatic” with QB Mac Jones’ “offseason dedication.” Jones exceeded year 1 expectations with 3,801 yards, 22 TDs and 13 picks across 17 games. He completed nearly 68% of his passes. A lack of rushing hurts his fantasy outlook, but the former ‘Bama standout at least projects as a bye week fill-in. Jones, 24 in Septmeber, finished as the QB18 in 2021.
Adam Jahns of The Athletic believes WR Velus Jones “should have an immediate role on offense.” Frankly, it would be a major disappointment if he didn’t. The Bears feature a bunch of WR3/4 types behind Darnell Mooney, while Jones exits college as a 25-year-old. So yes, the opportunity outlook is nice. And Jones boasts rare, 4.31 speed. But his pedigree is uninspiring, with just 58-627-4 across 4 seasons before a 2021 breakout (62-807-7). He's not someone we're chasing in rookie drafts.
The Jaguars selected Chad Muma in Round 3 of the NFL Draft, the 2nd LB they have chosen thus far. Muma sported above-average speed in pre-draft testing, at 6'3, 237 pounds. He also delivered strong production last season: 142 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 3 INTs and 2 defensive TDs. He hits a Jacksonville defense that threw money at LB Foye Oluokun in free agency and then added LB Devin Lloyd in Round 1. So early playing time figures to be scant.
The Bears selected Tennessee WR Velus Jones in the 3rd round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Jones spent 6 years in college -- 4 at USC, 2 at Tennessee -- never topping 807 receiving yards. He turns 25 next month. Jones blazed a 4.31-second 40 time at 6'0, 204 pounds at the Combine, but there's not much else to like about his profile. He at least finds opportunity in a Chicago WR corps with little behind Darnell Mooney.
Jacksonville traded up to Tampa Bay's 27th pick to select LB Devin Lloyd. The former Utah stud delivered big numbers over the past 3 years, including reps both from the edge and off the ball. Lloyd racked up 43 tackles for loss, 15.5 sacks, 5 INTs and 8 passes defensed over 3 seasons as a Utes starter. The 6'3, 237-pounder should quickly join free-agent addition Foye Oluokun in the starting lineup. He's a bit old for an incoming rookie -- already 23.5 -- but there's plenty of immediate IDP upside.
The Jaguars chose EDGE Travon Walker with the 1st pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Walker posted limited production in college, averaging just 0.33 sacks and 0.45 tackles for loss per game across 29 contests at Georgia. He does play the run well, but Jacksonville is clearly buying on the athleticism. Walker delivered a phenomenal 4.51-second 40-yard dash at 272 pounds, a 98th-percentile speed score for the position. We’ll see whether he can turn that promise into NFL production, but we’re a little wary about overpaying for him in dynasty rookie drafts.
Jaguars RB Travis Etienne said he's "85-90%" recovered from last August's Lisfranc injury to his left foot. He's still limited in some of his weight-room work but is doing "the majority of the stuff" in Jacksonville's offseason conditioning program. Etienne expects to receive full clearance by training camp. We'll keep a close eye on his health this summer -- as well as how he'll be deployed in new HC Doug Pederson's offense.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that TE Evan Engram "intends" to sign a 1-year, $9 million deal with the Jaguars. The money is reportedly guaranteed, with a chance to grow to $10 million via incentives. We'll see exactly how the receiving pieces fit in new HC Doug Pederson's offense. Engram brings a similar skill set to Jacksonville incumbent TE Dan Arnold, who played WR in college and was operating as a top target after arriving from Carolina in trade (before getting injured). Engram, a former 1st-round pick, should still beat Arnold on the talent front, though. The 2 of them plus free-agent addition Christian Kirk and Laviska Shenault sure seem to give Jacksonville a lot of slot-type pieces. We'll likely keep learning through training camp and the preseason just how to project this offense. The addition of passing-game pieces can only help QB Trevor Lawrence, though.
NFL Network reports that Jacksonville has agreed to terms with former Falcons LB Foye Oluokun. He figures to take over the MLB job for the Jaguars, who still have OLB Myles Jack under contract through 2023. Oluokun emerged as a top IDP option in 2021 after a 2020 breakthrough and now steps into a situation that has been terrific for LB tackle numbers.
NFL Network reports that the Jaguars are expected to sign WR Christian Kirk to a "large deal." Kirk posted career highs in receptions (77) and yards (982) last season, playing 3 more games than his previous high in that category. Kirk spent time both outside and in the slot in Arizona. It's not immediately clear how he and Laviska Shenault will fit together in the offense of new Jacksonville HC Doug Pederson. The money heading Kirk's way certainly positions him as the favorite to lead Jaguars wideouts, though. Marvin Jones also remains in the mix. We'll see what other moves Jacksonville makes at the position.
The Browns plan to tender restricted free agent RB D'Ernest Johnson at the "right of 1st refusal" level, according to multiple reports. That tells us the team wants to see what the market is for the 26-year-old RB and doesn't fear the prospect of losing him. We'll see what the market determines. Johnson, of course, delivered several big games with Nick Chubb and/or Kareem Hunt out last season. He has just 165 total touches through 4 pro seasons, though.
The Lions signed WR Josh Reynolds to a 2-year deal with a "max value of $12 million," according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo. Reynolds joined Detroit last November after getting dumped by the Titans. He played 63+% of the offensive snaps in all 7 of his games with the Lions but averaged just 5.1 targets, 2.7 catches and 43.7 yards per game. We'll see what else Detroit does to address the WR room this offseason, but Reynolds isn't a great bet to be a real fantasy asset in 2022.
Speaking on The Players Club Podcast, Jags RB Travis Etienne provided an update on his injured foot. Recall that he suffered a Lisfranc injury last preseason. “My foot is doing much better,” Etienne said. “Really just got back into the gym for the first time and I’m squatting for the first time this past week. So that’s been good and I’ve been running for a while now. I’m kind of getting to that 80% to 85% range.” Etienne should be fully healthy for the offseason program, where he’ll look to impress new HC Doug Pederson. James Robinson, meanwhile, might not return until training camp (or later) following a December Achilles’ tear. Etienne snagged 85 balls over his final 2 years at Clemson, so there's reason to believe he'll deliver as a PPR asset.
The Jaguars are hiring Doug Pederson as their next HC, according to multiple reports. Pederson, of course, spent 5 seasons at the helm in Philadelphia. He piloted the Eagles to a 13-3 record and Super Bowl victory in his 2nd season and finished with a 42-37-1 record (including a 4-11-1 final season). Philly's offenses ranked 14th or lower in yards in 4 of Pederson's 5 seasons and 16th or lower in scoring in 3 of 5 years. We'll see how he fills out the rest of the staff and what that staff has to say about the returning players. We'll also see whether Jacksonville retains free-agent WR D.J. Chark.
Jaguars RB Travis Etienne (Lisfranc) told reporters on Monday that he's been running in the pool and will resuming running on the field soon. He expects to be ready for the start of camp. Etienne underwent surgery on September 2 to repair the Lisfranc tear in his left foot. He was expected to be sidelined for 4 months, so it sounds like his rehab is on track. Etienne should be ready to roll for the start of the 2022 season. We can't say the same for RB James Robinson, who tore his left Achilles in late December.
Browns RB D'Ernest Johnson has been activated from the COVID list and is eligible to play vs. the Bengals on Sunday. We'll see if RB Kareem Hunt, who's questionable with his ankle injury, ends up playing.
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