Jacksonville Jaguars: 10 Bold Predictions For The 2014 Season

By K.J. Momberg

Jacksonville Jaguars: 10 Bold Predictions For 2014 Season

Blake Bortles Chad Henne — The Jacksonville Jaguars should be much improved in their second season under coach Gus Bradley. The talent level on the Jaguars' roster has gotten better, and the team is considered a dark horse to contend for a playoff spot. With that being said, here are 10 bold predictions for the Jaguars' 2014 season.

10. Blake Bortles Will Start At Least 10 Games

Blake Bortles Jacksonville Jaguars

10. Blake Bortles Will Start At Least 10 Games

Blake Bortles Jacksonville Jaguars — The Jaguars drafted Bortles with the intention of sitting him during his rookie season. However, the rookie quarterback played so well in the preseason that it will be next to impossible for the team to sit him. The Jaguars have a difficult schedule to start the regular season, so their record through the first 5-6 games could determine when Bortles gets his first start.

9. Chris Clemons Will Have Double-Digit Sacks

Chris Clemons Jaguars

9. Chris Clemons Will Have Double-Digit Sacks

Chris Clemons Jaguars — After three straight years of double-digit sacks from 2010-12, Clemons put up just 4.5 sacks last season coming off of ACL surgery. Now a year removed from knee surgery and back with his former Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator in Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley, Clemons is due for a bounce-back season.

8. Dwayne Gratz Will Have At Least 5 Interceptions

Dwayne Gratz Jaguars

8. Dwayne Gratz Will Have At Least 5 Interceptions

Dwayne Gratz Jaguars — In a secondary full of young talent, it is often safety Johnathan Cyprien who is touted as a player set for a breakout season. However, second-year cornerback Dwayne Gratz has the size and plays with a physicality expected of a cornerback in Bradley's scheme. He should not be overlooked and is due for a breakout season of his own.

7. Luke Bowanko Will Start At Least 14 Games At Center

Luke Bowanko Jaguars

7. Luke Bowanko Will Start At Least 14 Games At Center

Luke Bowanko Jaguars — The Jaguars had a difficult time finding a replacement for longtime starter Brad Meester at center, but finally settled on third-year lineman Jacques McClendon. He is a serviceable player, but the rookie Bowanko played well in the preseason and will replace McClendon in the starting lineup sooner rather than later.

6. Ryan Davis Will Record At Least 8 Sacks

Ryan Davis Jaguars

6. Ryan Davis Will Record At Least 8 Sacks

Ryan Davis Jaguars — Third-year defensive end Ryan Davis may have just one sack in his two seasons, but he could be due to break out in a big way. Davis finished second on the team this preseason with 1.5 sacks, and is arguably the Jaguars' second-best edge rusher behind Chris Clemons.

5. Cecil Shorts Will Surpass 1,000 Yards Receiving

Cecil Shorts III Jaguars

5. Cecil Shorts Will Surpass 1,000 Yards Receiving

Cecil Shorts III Jaguars — Shorts has been on the cusp of a 1,000 yards receiving each of the past two seasons, only to fall short each time after suffering an injury. The fourth-year wide receiver is the most experienced and talented receiver on the roster, and should be targeted early and often by veteran Chad Henne or rookie Blake Bortles.

4. Sen'Derrick Marks Will Make The Pro Bowl

Sen'Derrick Marks Jaguars

4. Sen'Derrick Marks Will Make The Pro Bowl

Sen'Derrick Marks Jaguars — Defensive tackle Sen'Derrick Marks had by far the best season of his career last year, and appears set for an even better year in 2014. The Jaguars added depth along the defensive line this past offseason, which should allow Marks to remain fresh later in games and all season long. If he continues to be the disruptive force he was in limited snaps this preseason, there is no reason why Marks couldn't end up in the Pro Bowl.

3. Ace Sanders Will Return Two Punts For Touchdowns

Ace Sanders Jaguars

3. Ace Sanders Will Return Two Punts For Touchdowns

Ace Sanders Jaguars — Sanders will serve a four-game suspension to start the season for violating the league's substance abuse policy. Once he returns, the former fourth-round pick should be playing with a chip on his shoulder and will look to make his impact as the team's primary punt returner. Sanders struggled in that role last season with just 140 yards on 25 returns, but showed flashes in his limited action this preseason.

2. Marcedes Lewis Will Have At Least 10 Receiving Touchdowns

Marcedes Lewis Jaguars

2. Marcedes Lewis Will Have At Least 10 Receiving Touchdowns

Marcedes Lewis Jaguars — Lewis has put up double-digit touchdowns in a season once before (2010), but has been plagued by injuries and ineffective quarterback play in the years since. Finally healthy, Lewis will play a prominent role in offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch's scheme no matter who is starting at quarterback.

1. Jaguars Will Finish With 8 Wins

Gus Bradley Jaguars

1. Jaguars Will Finish With 8 Wins

Gus Bradley Jaguars — The Jacksonville Jaguars have finished with a losing record in three straight seasons, but with an improved roster and head coach Gus Bradley in charge, things are looking up in Jacksonville. It won't be easy, but the team viewed as a dark horse candidate by a lot of people could easily come away with eight wins, especially playing in arguably the weakest division in the league -- the AFC South.

Keith Momberg is the Jacksonville Jaguars writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @k_momberg or add him to your network on Google.

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