2017 NFL Power Rankings: Where Do Los Angeles Rams Stand After Free Agency Signings?

23. Jacksonville Jaguars

Just like the Cleveland Browns, the Jacksonville Jaguars seemed like the last team anyone expected to make a big splash early on in free agency, but the team hasn’t been messing around to make sure they have the necessary weapons to compete with the rest of the AFC South. The Jaguars realize having a strong defense is going to be their best chance of bouncing back from last year’s 3-13 finish, and give the team credit for the key signings of A.J. Bouye, Calais Campbell, and Barry Church.

Players don’t just join teams without seeing some sort of potential, and even though a team like Jacksonville would seem to be an unlikely landing spot for most free agents, these three defensive stars clearly see something special. Otherwise, why would they even consider the possibility of joining Doug Marrone‘s squad if the Jaguars didn’t seem like a team ready to take the next step as contenders?

Of course, the only way Jacksonville is truly going to become contenders in the AFC is if Blake Bortles figures out a way to be an elite quarterback at the NFL level. Unfortunately for Bortles, the former first-round pick has established a reputation for being a quarterback that earns most of his numbers during garbage time, and sadly this could be his final chance at proving he deserves to be a starter.