The Jacksonville Jaguars have plenty of reasons to feel good about their offense heading into Thursday night's matchup with the Baltimore Ravens. Trevor Lawrence is playing some of the best football of his career, and his partnership with head coach Liam Coen has helped unlock the potential that made him the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Lawrence is an obvious concern for Baltimore, but focusing only on the quarterback overlooks the other playmakers who can make life difficult for the Ravens. Jacksonville has several players who can change a game on either side of the ball, even as injuries have taken a toll on the roster.
The Jaguars aren't entering the contest at full strength. Their top two running backs, a starting guard, and both
starting safeties are injured. Bhayshul Tuten, Chris Rodriguez Jr., Ezra Cleveland, Antonio Johnson, and Eric Murray are all worth monitoring.
Those absences could affect Jacksonville's options, but they don't erase the individual threats Baltimore must account for. Here are five Jaguars who deserve attention beyond Lawrence.
Travis Hunter, wide receiver/cornerback
Some questioned whether Travis Hunter could handle the demands of playing both sides of the ball at the NFL level. So far, the former Heisman Trophy winner has given them plenty of reasons to reconsider. Hunter has recorded six receptions for 76 yards and a touchdown on offense, while adding 26 tackles and two interceptions on defense. He has also contributed two carries for eight yards.
Hunter's versatility creates a unique challenge for opposing teams because his impact isn't limited to one side of the ball. Baltimore must account for his receiving ability while also recognizing that he can make plays defensively. His workload may vary from game to game, but his ability to contribute in multiple ways makes him a player the Ravens cannot afford to overlook.
Foyesade Oluokun, linebacker
Foyesade Oluokun has been a productive presence in the middle of Jacksonville's defense. Through seven games, he has recorded 51 tackles, one sack, four tackles for loss, two pass breakups, two interceptions, and a forced fumble. That kind of production reflects a linebacker who can influence the game in several different ways.
The Ravens will need to be aware of Oluokun's presence when trying to establish their running game and when running the ball through the middle of the field in the passing game. With Baltimore potentially relying on a different quarterback than it expected to have entering the season, Oluokun's ability to create disruption and capitalize on mistakes becomes especially important.
Parker Washington, wide receiver
Parker Washington has emerged as a productive option in Jacksonville's passing attack. He leads all Jaguars receivers with four touchdowns and has added 27 receptions for 432 yards. Washington also has six big plays and 16 receptions for first downs, giving Lawrence another reliable option when the offense needs to move the chains.
Baltimore's secondary has struggled to consistently contain opposing passing attacks, making Washington another player who could create problems. The Ravens cannot afford to devote all their attention to Jacksonville's top receiving threats and allow Washington to take advantage of favorable matchups. His production suggests he has become an important part of what Coen wants to accomplish offensively.
Brenton Strange, tight end
Brenton Strange has quietly become another productive piece of Jacksonville's offense. He has 28 receptions for 334 yards and one touchdown, with 130 of those receiving yards coming after the catch. Strange has also produced five big plays, and 15 of his receptions have resulted in first downs.
His ability to gain yards after the catch gives Lawrence another option who can turn a routine completion into a meaningful gain. The Ravens must be disciplined in the middle of the field, particularly against a tight end who has shown he can do more than make the initial catch. Allowing Strange to consistently move the chains could help Jacksonville sustain drives and keep Baltimore's defense on the field.
Josh Hines-Allen, edge rusher
Josh Hines-Allen is one of the most important players on Jacksonville's defense, and his ability to pressure the quarterback could make him a major factor against Baltimore. Through the team's first seven games, he has recorded 25 tackles, two sacks, five tackles for loss, one pass breakup, and a forced fumble.
The Ravens have had enough problems protecting their quarterbacks this season without facing another disruptive pass rusher. Hines-Allen can affect the game even when he doesn't finish a play with a sack, and his presence will put added pressure on Baltimore's offensive line. With the quarterback situation already unsettled, keeping him from consistently getting into the backfield will be a significant responsibility.
Random notes
Jacksonville confirmed that safety Eric Murray and defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton suffered season-ending injuries against Indianapolis. Antonio Johnson was limited Monday with an ankle injury, but he was not declared out for Thursday. Running backs Bhayshul Tuten and Chris Rodriguez Jr. also appeared on the injury report, but their availability was not settled.
Final analysis
Lawrence plays one of the most important positions in sports. He may command most of the attention heading into Thursday night, but Jacksonville has enough talent around him to make the Ravens defend every level of the field.
Hunter's versatility, Oluokun's production, Washington's emergence, Strange's reliability and Hines-Allen's pass-rushing ability give the Jaguars several ways to create problems. Baltimore has enough uncertainty of its own that it cannot afford to let Jacksonville's supporting cast dictate the game.
The Ravens need a disciplined performance from all three phases, because stopping Lawrence alone won't be enough if the other Jaguars on this list are allowed to make their presence felt. Each presents a different challenge for a Baltimore team with little margin for error and a need to find answers quickly on both sides of the ball.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Five Jaguars not named Trevor Lawrence who could hurt the Ravens
