Jaguars 2024 rookie recap, from Brian Thomas Jr. to Myles Cole

As followers eagerly await the information of who the following head coach of the group will probably be going ahead, it looks like a good time to ease some stress with an end-of-season have a look at how the Jacksonville Jaguars rookie class fared in 2024.

The group had 9 picks in final 12 months’s draft and every of them contributed in various capacities this season.

First-round decide Brian Thomas Jr. dominated the headlines along with his unimaginable play in 12 months one however he’s not the one rook that seemed like a key piece for the long run.

Right here’s a recap of how every Jacksonville Jaguars rookie fared in 2024.

Brian Thomas Jr.

It took only one season of seeing Brian Thomas Jr. play soccer to appreciate that he’s on the point of superstardom when projecting his future with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

In 12 months one, BTJ broke each single rookie receiving document for the Jags. He completed his first season with 87 receptions for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns. The one different receivers throughout the league to match all three of these thresholds have been Ja’Marr Chase, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Justin Jefferson, all three of which have been voted first-team All-Professional.

He achieved all of this whereas coping with inconsistent quarterback play and being in one of many least artistic offenses in your entire league with no different stars to tug away consideration.

With the teaching state of affairs nonetheless up within the air, no person is aware of what the offensive philosophy will appear to be in 2025, however one thing tells me that an emphasis on getting Brian Thomas Jr. the ball as a lot as attainable is probably going, no matter who Shad Khan brings in to be the following head coach.

Maason Smith

The collection of Maason Smith with the forty eighth total decide of the 2024 NFL draft was a shock to many on the time. It was a classic Trent Baalke choice as Smith met all the dimensions and size thresholds however lacked the manufacturing you’ll count on for such a excessive decide. The criticism was validated early on too, as Smith was a wholesome scratch a number of instances early within the season and missed stretch in the course of the season with an ankle harm.

That stated, Smith actually flashed fairly a bit within the second half of the 12 months as he turned the one supply of inside strain on the Jags in 2024. He completed his rookie season with three sacks, three go deflections and 4 QB hits as he appears like he could possibly be an actual piece going ahead in Jacksonville.

Jarrian Jones

The Jacksonville Jaguars secondary was brutal in 2024 as they completed useless final in go protection (257 YPG) whereas permitting massive performs left and proper (allowed league-high 14 completions of over 40 yards). Maybe the lone optimistic followers can take away from the backend of the protection in 2024 was the play of nickel nook, Jarrian Jones.

Jones performed 58% of the group’s defensive snaps as a rookie and proved to be probably the most constant participant within the secondary. He completed 12 months one with eight go deflections, two sacks and an interception whereas taking part in with an vitality that the group was devoid of out of doors of him. Jones has performed himself into being the unquestioned beginning nickel in 2025.

Javon Foster

Javon Foster was an AP first-team All-SEC deal with in 2023 so when the Jaguars landed him within the fourth spherical of the draft final April it appeared like they bought a steal. Sadly Foster should be a piece in progress as a result of he was a wholesome scratch for almost his whole rookie season. He was lively for simply 4 video games in 2024 and he solely noticed motion on particular groups.

That’s made much more worrisome when you think about the truth that Jacksonville traded their beginning left deal with Cam Robinson midway via the season and their substitute for him, Walker Little, missed time with an harm but Foster was by no means even introduced up as an choice to fill in at any level. Right here’s to hoping this redshirt rookie marketing campaign helps in his growth heading into 2025.

Jordan Jefferson

Jordan Jefferson solely performed in 8 video games throughout his rookie marketing campaign however he had a few moments the place he flashed his potential. Essentially the most notable being his tipped go in opposition to Mason Rudolph and the Tennessee Titans in Week 17 that resulted in a Devin Lloyd interception. Together with that heady play, Jefferson’s power was evident when he was on the sphere as he proved to be a fairly stationary presence in the course of the line of defense. That stated, he wasn’t in a position to push the pocket a lot in any respect which is an space he’ll want to enhance if he’s going to remain within the rotation in 2025.

De’antre Prince

Regardless of the Jacksonville Jaguars being one of many worst defenses in opposition to the go within the league, rookie nook De’antre Prince couldn’t discover the sphere a lot in any respect for many of his rookie season. The fifth-rounder out of Ole Miss was considered a man that might contribute to a fairly skinny secondary this season and for no matter purpose we simply didn’t get a lot of a glimpse at Prince all the way in which up till Week 18. Within the remaining week of the season Prince logged greater than double his season snap whole (55/101) and carried out nicely. Right here’s to hoping the brand new defensive coordinator offers Prince extra of a possibility to contribute in 12 months two.

Keilan Robinson

Keilan Robinson was drafted to be the Jamal Agnew substitute within the return sport in 2024 however sadly a lingering toe harm threw a wrench in that plan. Robinson bought harm early in coaching camp and didn’t make his debut with the group till Week 13. He would end the season with simply two kick returns for 34 yards and noticed simply 5 snaps on the offensive facet of the ball. Robinson’s rookie season was basically a red-shirt 12 months so hopefully well being is on his facet going into 12 months two in order that the group can see what they’ve in him.

Cam Little

Exterior of Brian Thomas Jr., Cam Little may need been probably the most impactful rookie on the Jacksonville Jaguars roster in 2024. Little made 27 of 29 makes an attempt for a subject aim proportion of 93.1% which ranked fifth throughout your entire NFL amongst kickers with no less than 20 makes an attempt. The Arkansas product was computerized all 12 months and his solely two misses have been a 43-yarder that doinked off the publish in opposition to Cleveland in a driving rain storm, and 55-yarder that had the gap however simply drifted in opposition to Houston. He additionally broke nearly each franchise rookie kicking document within the course of because the Jags look to have a long-term resolution at kicker going ahead.

Myles Cole

Seventh-rounder Myles Cole noticed motion in simply 8 video games in 2024 and completed the 12 months with simply 8 whole tackles and one for a loss. His freakish athletic profile made him an intriguing prospect however he isn’t precisely a technician off the sting so he was all the time going to be a developmental participant. The hope must be that his expertise this season and a full offseason program spark some enchancment with hopes that he can contribute persistently as a depth go rusher in 2025.

Jaguars followers, what do you consider the 2024 rookie class?