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NFL power rankings: Final 32-team breakdown ahead of the 2018 draft

By Peter Panacy

CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 28: (L-R) A detailed view of the pick is in for the #1 overall pick by the Los Angeles Rams during the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University on April 28, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 28: (L-R) A detailed view of the pick is in for the #1 overall pick by the Los Angeles Rams during the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University on April 28, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – JANUARY 14: Head coach Doug Marrone of the Jacksonville Jaguars asks head linesman Jerry Bergman #91 for a replay review in the first quarter during the AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on January 14, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – JANUARY 14: Head coach Doug Marrone of the Jacksonville Jaguars asks head linesman Jerry Bergman #91 for a replay review in the first quarter during the AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on January 14, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /

52. . . Previous: . Jacksonville Jaguars. 7. team

The Jaguars climb a couple of spots in our NFL power rankings for one major reason — they inked Andrew Norwell in free agency, solving a key need along the offensive line.

That’s a huge get, and Norwell should provide immediate and much-needed protection for quarterback Blake Bortles.

Speaking of Bortles, he’s the lone commodity keeping Jacksonville out of the top five on this list. He had an OK year last season, which ultimately led to the Jags inking him to a three-year contract extension. Not sure about the thinking there, but it is what it is.

Perhaps it’s the thought Jacksonville can be a run-first, defensive-heavy squad again. Maybe that’s why they parted ways with wide receivers Allen Hurns — now with the Cowboys — and Allen Robinson.

Fortunately, that defense is good enough to get Jacksonville back to the playoffs. Its secondary is arguably the best in the NFL right now, and no one can question how formidable the front seven is. Particularly against the pass.

Stout defenses rarely maintain consistency for more than a few years, though, meaning if the Jaguars are eyeing a Super Bowl berth, they’ll need to win now.