JACKSONVILLE – Eight Jaguars experts – Rick Ballou, Frank Frangie, Jeff Lageman, Brent Martineau, John Oehser, Brian Sexton, J.P. Shadrick and Ashlyn Sullivan – are breaking down the Jaguars as the 2020 NFL season approaches; today: experts predict their Jaguars' Veteran to Watch in 2020
Rick Ballou, Jaguars sideline reporter
My Jaguars Veteran to Watch in 2020 is: Left tackle Cam Robinson. This is the final year of his rookie contract and obviously he wants to get paid. He has dealt with injuries and lack of consistency in his first three seasons in Jacksonville. This will be the biggest season of his career and will determine whether he will continue to suit up as a Jag or move on.
Frank Frangie, Radio Voice of the Jaguars
My Jaguars Veteran to Watch in 2020 is: Tight end Tyler Eifert. If he is healthy and can find his earlier form, man, can he help this team. In today's NFL, offenses really thrive with good tight-end play and the matchup problems fast, pass-catching tight ends can create. Here's hoping that can happen with Eifert.
Jeff Lageman, Jaguars analyst and former Jaguars defensive end
My Jaguars Veteran to Watch in 2020 is: Defensive end Yannick Ngakoue. Ngakoue is clearly a storyline going into the 2020 season with all that has and has not happened in the offseason. From the demand for a trade to a Twitter issue with ownership … it will make for an interesting living arrangement. Ngakoue has always been a professional in his preparation and his performance. Will both sides agree to disagree in certain areas and make this season the focus?
Brent Martineau, Action Sports Jax Sports Director
My Jaguars Veteran to Watch in 2020 is: The veteran everyone will be watching is Ngakoue, but let's go in a different direction while we wait and see what happens with that situation (for the record, I think he plays for the Jags). I'm thinking of three players: running back Chris Thompson, safety Ronnie Harrison and defensive tackle Taven Bryan. I have to pick one, so let's go with Bryan. He has been labeled as a bust by the fan base, but he also had some really good moments last season. If Bryan figures it out and becomes a reliable player for the Jaguars, that's how you turn things around for an organization. Sometimes, patience wins the day. It's up to Bryan to prove the Jaguars' organization right and this is the year to do it.
John Oehser, jaguars.com senior writer
My Jaguars Veteran to Watch in 2020 is: Middle linebacker Joe Schobert. This is actually about watching two veterans – Schobert and fellow linebacker Myles Jack. The signing of Schobert as an unrestricted free agent from Cleveland was overlooked by some as a key offseason move, but make no mistake: it's perhaps the key offseason move in terms of determining if this team can compete. Schobert should solidify the middle, and Jack has Pro Bowl-level potential as a playmaking outside linebacker. The Jaguars believe the two moves can help solidify a run defensive that struggled last season. If they're right, this could be a dramatically improved team.
Brian Sexton, jaguars.com senior correspondent
My Jaguars Veteran to Watch in 2020 is: Eifert. I've always loved to watch a great tight end work on the line of scrimmage one play and in the middle of the field the next. Something about it screams "old school" to me even though offensive coordinators today are scheming the position as well as anyone ever has. So, put me down to have my eyes on Eifert, who in 2015 scored 13 touchdowns with current Jaguars offensive coordinator Jay Gruden when Gruden was offensive coordinator in Cincinnati – and whose size and athleticism is absolutely prototypical. Too many injuries have cost him too many opportunities and a lot of money, so I expect to see a motivated Eifert on the field this fall after staying healthy in 2019.
J.P. Shadrick, jaguars.com reporter/editor
My Jaguars Veteran to Watch in 2020 is: Eifert. The Jaguars have been trying to figure out the tight end position since Marcedes Lewis. They've thrown the checkbook at a couple free agents, drafted some other players and it just has not gone as planned. Hearing Eifert this offseason discuss his injury-riddled past and how that affected his psyche was fascinating. He was a first-round pick for a reason, so let's see if he can finally put a couple full seasons together and show his full ability.
Ashlyn Sullivan, Digital reporter and host
My Jaguars Veteran to Watch in 2020 is: Ngakoue. If he ends up playing for the Jaguars in 2020, all eyes will be glued on him and how he responds. I give Ngakoue credit for how he handled his contract situation last year. He was professional at all times once he reported to training camp. I expect Ngakoue to be all business and continue to give it his all despite his disagreements with the front office over the offseason. Ngakoue cares about football and wants to be great. I see him playing and acting at a Pro Bowl level this season.
