Coaching Carousel 2017: Which NFL Coaching Jobs Are Most Attractive?

​Jacksonville Jaguars

2016 Offensive NEP per play: 24th
2016 Defensive NEP per play: 14th

Contrary to popular belief, the Jacksonville Jaguars’ roster is pretty good. Sure, Gus Bradley wasn’t the person to cultivate it and turn this team of high draft picks into a juggernaut, but the next coach to come along will be given a wealth of upside to play with. After five consecutive years of picking in the top-five of the NFL Draft (with a sixth year coming in 2017), the Jaguars have acquired a lot of the talent they need to actually contend in the godawful AFC South.

Quarterback is the biggest question mark on offense. General manager Dave Caldwell has said that there is no mandate for the next coach to stick with Blake Bortles, but it’s likely they will give the 2014 third overall selection one more go, which could end up being a big mistake.

Outside of Bortles, the wide receiver group is very good, with star Allen Robinson only being held down by his quarterback play, Allen Hurns only being held down by injuries, and Marqise Lee finally starting to put things together this year. They’ll need to sort out the backfield; among the 42 running backs with at least 100 carries this year, Chris Ivory and T.J. Yeldon rank dead last and eighth-worst in Rushing NEP per attempt.

The defensive side of the ball is star-studded and just needs to gel. Defensive ends Dante Fowler Jr. and Yannick Ngakoue bring outstanding promise to the pass rush, while defensive tackle Malik Jackson is a versatile interior presence. The linebacking group led by Telvin Smith, Myles Jack, and Paul Posluszny is sturdy, as is an improving secondary with cornerbacks Jalen Ramsey and Prince Amukamara in front of safeties Jonathan Cyprien and Tashaun Gipson. This unit ranked 13th in Defensive Passing NEP per play this year, not far behind the always-impressive New England Patriots. Just saying.

Likely Candidates: Tom Coughlin met with the team last week, interim head coach/offensive line coach Doug Marrone has experience in the big chair, and they’re trying to entice Atlanta offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, Arizona offensive coordinator Harold Goodwin, and New England offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. The thread that connects all of these options is the offensive focus. The Jaguars need to iron out that side of the ball first and foremost to compete.