2017 NFL Power Rankings: Preseason Edition
26. Jacksonville Jaguars, -2.65 nERD
The Jacksonville Jaguars feel like the eternal "this is the year" squad, but despite improvements, they still grade out as a below-average team.
In 2013, they posted a nERD of -14.20 and jumped it year over year (-8.87, -8.08, and -4.02). The algorithm likes them to continue building but still play between a safety and a field goal worse than an average team.
The Jags finished 24th in overall offense by our metrics last year (after placing 32nd, 32nd, and 26th since 2013), but Blake Bortles finished just 30th among 34 passers with at least 200 drop backs in Passing NEP per drop back. His 0.00 Passing NEP per drop back mark is a significant boost from his -0.18 rookie rate but well behind the 0.07 he posted in 2015.
His Success Rate dipped a bit (from 45.66% in 2015 to 44.31% in 2016), and the lack of big plays didn't save him last year like it did the year prior.
Until the Jags can produce a strong passing offense, the defense and even running game behind Leonard Fournette will likely prove futile in the grand scheme of things.
