Lawrence, Hines-Allen Represent Jaguars Within Top-100

On Sept. 13, the Jacksonville Jaguars kick off their quest to defend the AFC South Crown, welcoming the Cleveland Browns to Duval.

Expectations within the building are high to build on last years success and get back to the postseason.

Starting quarterback Trevor Lawrence had his best NFL season, and edge rusher Josh Hines-Allen recorded his fifth-straight season with seven or more sacks.

On Tuesday, both players represented the Jaguars on ESPN's top-100 NFL player rankings, coming in much lower than the NFL's same list.

Lawrence snuck in at No. 96, while Hines-Allen was ranked No. 67.

Compare those rankings to the ongoing NFL Top-100, where Lawrence came in at No. 62 and Hines-Allen was listed at No. 48.

Both players had big seasons during Jacksonville's success last season, with Lawrence gaining traction as a dark horse MVP candidate and Hines-Allen became the Jaguars' all-time sack leader.

Lawrence benefited from first-year head coach Liam Coen's offensive scheme, throwing for 4,007 yards and setting the single-season franchise record for touchdowns with 38.

The former No. 1 overall pick also showed improved ability as a runner, rushing for a career-high 359 yards and shattering his previous rushing touchdown mark of five with nine last season.

This offseason, his connection with his receivers has been notably increased, while multiple NFL analysts have predicted an "explosive" passing attack.

Being ranked No. 96 overall on the list is definitely low, considering the ESPN writers have him as the No. 14 QB in the NFL.

With another big season, it will become difficult to keep Lawrence out of top-10 QB discussions.

Hines-Allen, who has become a staple of the Jaguars' defense, anchored a volatile defense last season, which was second in the NFL in takeaways (31).

As the longest tenured player on the defense, Hines-Allen led Jacksonville to the top rushing defense in the NFL, allowing just 85.6 rushing yards per game.

But, entering this season, Hines-Allen has his sights set on a new mark.

After being asked what was next for the Jags' defensive line unit following a training camp practice, the team captain responded, "Lead the league in sacks."

In recent joint practices with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, multiple reports indicated that Hines-Allen wreaked havoc on the Bucs' offensive line.

Hines-Allen himself talked about the social media posts from Tampa, responding via X "I keep seeing these one on one rushes from Tampa bay, those good rushes but the way we was doing them boys on that other field. MAN!!!!"

With former No. 1 overall pick Travon Walker recently extended on a longterm deal, Jacksonville's edges are sneakily one of the best 1-2 punches in the NFL.

With another strong showing from Hines-Allen and Lawrence, coupled by postseason success, both players should easily be in the top-50 going forward.