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NFL 2017 preview: Looking at strengths, weaknesses and X-factors for all 32 teams

By Peter Panacy

Jan 22, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) and Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) greet each other following the 2017 NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dan Powers/Appleton Post Crescent via USA TODAY NETWORK
Jan 22, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) and Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) greet each other following the 2017 NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dan Powers/Appleton Post Crescent via USA TODAY NETWORK /
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Oct 23, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) trips after escaping a sack in the second half against the Oakland Raiders at EverBank Field. Oakland Raiders won 33-16. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 23, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) trips after escaping a sack in the second half against the Oakland Raiders at EverBank Field. Oakland Raiders won 33-16. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports /

Jacksonville Jaguars

2016 Record: 3-13, Fourth in the AFC South

The Jacksonville Jaguars will have a new offensive identity with former LSU running back Leonard Fournette in town.

Fournette is a franchise-saving piece, and that’s exactly what the 3-13 Jaguars need heading into this season.

Jacksonville spent a considerable amount of effort bulking up the defense over the past two offenses, so 2017 will be the chance to see whether or not those investments will pay off. Last season, the lowly Jags finished with the NFL’s 25th worst scoring defense (400) but did manage to finish in the top 10 in fewest yards allowed (5,147). There are pieces here. It’s just putting it all together.

Having Fournette take command of games should help take pressure off the defense. Yet Jacksonville is probably going to stay bad, offensively, as long as quarterback Blake Bortles is under center.

Strengths

The Jaguars ground game immediately goes from a weakness to a strength, thanks to the addition of Fournette. This power-scheme runner is the kind of player teams want to build around. Expect Jacksonville to do just that.

There are some fine components up front and within the secondary, so it wouldn’t be a stretch to see the Jaguars hold their own in games over the course of the season.

Weaknesses

Bortles is not a franchise quarterback. The passing game will be problematic as long as he’s calling the plays.

Adding offensive tackle Cam Robinson in the draft addressed a need. But Robinson is one of those players who could turn sour quickly. Not saying he’ll be a bust, but Robinson could wind up being one of the bigger disappointments of this year’s NFL Draft.

X-Factors

Is Fournette the next Adrian Peterson on the ground? If so, the Jaguars might actually have something resembling an NFL offense. Even if the passing game is lousy. If not, well, another top-five pick has been wasted. Especially in a deep running back class.

The Jaguars might be OK if their defense holds. They’ll benefit from the boost to the running game. But will it be enough?