It’s been nine years since the Jacksonville Jaguars posted a winning record. Last year, the team began to show signs of promise but still finished the year 5-11, dropping head coach Gus Bradley’s record to 12-36 in three seasons with the team. The Jaguars continued to add talent to their team in free agency and the draft but, with Bradley firmly on the hot seat, can they finally become a contender in the AFC?

The Jaguars offence showed plenty of promise last season. Quarterback Blake Bortles threw for 4,400 yards with 35 touchdowns and wide receivers Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns both went over 1,000 yards on the year. Rookie running back T.J. Yeldon enjoyed a productive first season with 740 yards, but missed four games due to injury.

With so much of the team’s offensive yardage coming from the team’s passing attack, the Jaguars added to the running game with the addition of free agent Chris Ivory. Ivory, a 1,000-yard rusher with the Jets last season, enters into a timeshare with Yeldon that should relieve some of the pressure of the team’s passing game.

Though often playing catch-up with their opponents, the Jaguars ranked 14th in the league in scoring last season and 10th passing yards. Their biggest problem? Allowing an average of 28 points per game - second most in the NFL.

The Jaguars defence seemed doomed from the start last year when they lost third overall pick Dante Fowler Jr. to a torn ACL in his first practice. Fowler was expected to take over immediately as the team’s top pass rusher and instead watched from the sideline as the team managed a lacklustre 36 sacks on the year.

Fowler is healthy and ready to start in his redshirt rookie year. When he does, he won’t be the only new face in the huddle. The Jaguars signed defensive end Malik Jackson and safety Tashaun Gipson to big-money deals in free agency and used six of the team’s seven draft picks on defensive players.

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Fifth overall pick Jalen Ramsey was considered the most talented defender in the 2016 draft class and is already penciled in as the team’s starter at cornerback. Ramsey, a safety in college, is expected to have his versatility put on display by Bradley, a former defensive coordinator. The Jaguars believe they got the steal of the draft in linebacker Myles Jack, who they selected in the second round. Jack was once pegged as a potential top-five pick but plummeted as reports of setback in his recovery from a knee injury surfaced. Jack, however, participated in the team’s offseason activities and training camp. Jack is slated to open the year as a backup middle linebacker but should see playing time in sub packages. A two-way player at UCLA (linebacker and running back), Jack is simply too talented to keep off the field.

Still, the Jaguars lack a proven a pass rusher to complete their defence. While Jackson’s presence will boost the numbers of those around him, defensive end Jared Odrick as never topped six sacks and how Fowler will transition to the NFL remains a question mark. Gipson and Ramsey will boost the team’s secondary but coverage will break down if the Jaguars can’t get to the quarterback with a four-man rush.

The Jaguars retooled defence will put to the test right away this season, when the team hosts two-time league MVP Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers in Week 1. The team also has two games against Andrew Luck and Indianapolis Colts and the remolded Houston Texans. Winning games in the division will be a major factor as to whether or not the Jaguars will be able reach the postseason.

The Jaguars look poised to take a step forward on both offence and defence this season. But making the leap from 5-11 to a playoff team is an extremely difficult transition in the NFL. A winning record should be enough to save Bradley’s job, but the Jaguars will likely need one more year to make the leap to January football.

Key Notes

Hot Hands: The Jaguars intercepted just nine passes off opposing quarterbacks last season – fourth least in the NFL. Gipson intercepted just two passes with the Cleveland Browns last season, but snagged 11 balls from opposing quarterbacks over the previous two seasons. Ramsey had three interceptions in three years at Florida State.

Lean on Lee: While Allen Robinson has emerged a legitimate No. 1 wide receiver since being picked in the second round of the 2014 draft, the receiver the team picked ahead of him has not. Marquise Lee, selected 22 picks ahead of Robinson, has been hampered by injuries in his first two seasons. This year, though, Lee has his health and slated to debut as the team’s starting slot receiver.

Pushed in: Luke Joeckel, the second overall pick of the 2013 NFL draft, will shift from left tackle to left guard this season after losing his starting job to free agent-signee Kelvin Beachum during training camp. Joeckel made 14 starts at left tackle last season.