23-year old WR Mike Thomas played in 14 games for the Jaguars last season and he returned 26 kickoffs for 644 yards (24.8 avg).  Thomas will likely be moving into the starting lineup at WR but they don’t have anyone better than him to return kickoffs in 2010 so I see him keeping the job.  He has a lot of moves that often get him extra yards so the Jags should consistently have good starting field position for the offense in 2010.

The Jaguars have good reason to expect more out of the O-Line in 2010 as the unit has a good mix of young up and coming players and veteran know how.  LT Eugene Monroe was a first round pick of the Jags in 2009.  He has more than enough talent to become a dominating left tackle in the NFL.  But the Jags will have to keep him motivated and focused as Monroe didn’t seem to play hard on every play as a rookie.  Vince Manuwai is a dominating run blocker when healthy and he will be able to help out Monroe when he needs it.  Veteran Brad Meester is a tough guy that makes all of the line calls but he appears to be running on fumes.  Uche Nwaneri will likely have to hold off Kynan Forney for the starting RG spot.  Nwaneri runs hot and cold while Forney is a very solid pass blocker.  It’s possible that they will share the spot in 2010.  RT Eben Britton was outstanding as a rookie last season as he plays with a very nasty demeanor.  He could be a Pro Bowler in the very near future for the Jags.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE JAGUARS O-LINE in 2010:  B

47-year old head coach Jack Del Rio enters the 2010 season firmly on the hot seat.  Del Rio led the Jaguars to a very disappointing 7-9 (43.8%) record last season.  The Jaguars are now 57-55 (50.9%) in Del Rio’s 7 years in charge.  Del Rio is also 1-2 in his career in the post season.  Personally I think the Jaguars have to make the playoffs in 2010 for Del Rio to keep his job past this season. 

28-year old kicker Josh Scobee cost the Jaguars some games last season by leaving points on the field.  He played in 16 games for the Jaguars last season and he made 18 of 28 field goals (64.3%).  Scobee has also made 30 of 31 extra points as he finished last season with 84 points for the Jags.  Scobee has now played in 88 games in his career and he has made 122 of 159 field goals (76.7%).  He has also made 189 of 192 extra points as he has 555 career points.  Scobee needs to play better or he will be looking for a new job as early as 2010.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE JAGUARS KICKERS in 2010:  C-

25-year old Mike Sims-Walker was finally healthy in 2009 and he showed what he could do.  Sims-Walker played in 15 games (14 starts) for the Jaguars last season and he caught 63 passes for 869 yards (13.8 avg) with 7 TD grabs.  The Jaguars hope that Sims-Walker takes the next step which would provide them with a true #1 WR which they have not had since Jimmy Smith played for them.  Sims-Walker has now played in 24 games (15 starts) with the Jags and he has caught 79 passes for 1,086 yards (13.7 avg) with 7 TD grabs.

23-year old Mike Thomas really played well as a rookie last year for the Jags.  He played in 14 games (4 starts) for the Jaguars last season and he caught 48 passes for 453 yards (9.4 avg) with 1 TD grab.  Thomas also carried the ball 12 times for 86 yards (7.2 ypc) last season.  Thomas projects out to more of a #3 type WR because of his size but he might have to start for the Jags in 2010.

24-year old Jarrett Dillard missed half of his rookie year due to injury.  Dillard played in 7 games (0 starts) for the Jaguars last season and he caught 6 passes for 106 yards (17.7 avg).  The Jags probably have Dillard penciled in as the #3 WR but he could be beaten out for that job in training camp.

27-year old Troy Williamson is a speed burner who had an outstanding pre-season for the Jags last season before getting injured in the Jags second game of the year which caused him to miss the rest of the season.  Williamson played in 2 games (1 start) for the Jags last season and he caught 3 passes for 34 yards (11.3 avg).  Williamson has now played in 49 games (24 starts) in his five years in the NFL and he has caught 87 passes for 1,131 yards (13.0 avg) with 4 TD grabs.  Williamson could either work his way into the starting lineup or a backup role…..or off the roster based on his play this summer in training camp.

30-year old Kassim Osgood was lured to sign with the Jaguars this off-season with the promise of using him a lot on offense.  Osgood played in 16 games (0 starts) for the Chargers last season and he caught 1 pass for 17 yards.  Osgood has now played in 108 games (17 starts) in his NFL career and he has caught 33 passes for 647 yards (19.6 avg) with 4 TD grabs.  Osgood will still play a lot of special teams for the Jags as he has made it to three Pro Bowls in that capacity.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE JAGUARS WRs in 2010:  C