Jacksonville Jaguars' Week 9 Stock Report

The Jacksonville Jaguars are going into Week 9 a half-game back of the AFC South divisional lead, despite forfeiting multiple games and obtaining a 2-5 record. With a bye week of rest and a favorable outcome from the Indianapolis Colts' loss to the Carolina Panthers, the Jaguars can begin a push for the divisional title.

It doesn't make much sense that a 2-5 team like the Jaguars are very much in the running for the divisional title, but the AFC South hasn't made much sense in general this season. The Jaguars have showed the ability to compete and win this season; all that's required is to take the next step.

The Jaguars' schedule has plenty of winnable game left on the schedule, including four crucial AFC South battles. If the Jaguars can win out in their divisional games, that might even be enough to secure the title.

To do that, the Jaguars will need to embrace their strengths and positives from the first seven games while shedding the nagging issues and lack of composure late in games. For all the issues the Jaguars have had, there is still opportunity for something great this season.

It's hard to be optimistic about the Jaguars at times, but this is something tangible. The chips are falling in the Jaguars' favor; all they have to do is perform.

Telvin Smith Wins AFC Defensive Player of the Week, Earns Sharp Stock Rise

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For Jaguars fans and media, linebacker Telvin Smith's exciting play and potential hasn't been a secret. Since being drafted in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL draft, Smith has been electric and has appeared to get better with each week.

However, he was lacking a standout performance. He finally obtained that in his massive game against the Buffalo Bills, which included a pick-six and two tackles for loss. Making a major impact led to even more praise, including some on a national scale: AFC Defensive Player of the Week.

Getting an award like that is something many individual Jaguars players haven't received as of late, but Smith's incredible showing in London was one of the best individual performances of the week, and he was duly rewarded.

Smith is obviously a talented and dynamic player, but the Jaguars need him to keep making these impactful plays. Obviously they aren't expecting interceptions for touchdowns each week, but this could be the spark Smith needed to make plays like this more consistently.

Smith has already established himself as an important Jaguars player, but he may be on the brink of becoming a game-breaking one.

Marqise Lee Struggling with a Nagging Injury, Stock Struggles as Well

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Wide receiver Marqise Lee was drafted with high hopes in the second round of the 2014 NFL draft, but nagging injuries have severely hindered his process. While he still has a very good chance of being an impactful player on this team, it seems less and less likely that it will happen this year.

According to Jaguars.com's John Oehser, Lee still looks shaky for an appearance this weekend, and it's getting to a point where you have to wonder if he'll return at all this season. Head coach Gus Bradley has said the Jaguars will take their time with Lee, which is probably for the best.

“I think right now we’re holding him back some just on how we know his history,” Bradley said. “That’s why I feel bad for him because you see the injury. What we do know is we’ve got to get him fully healed. If he’s not fully healed the chance for reoccurrence could go up.”

Being patient with a situation like Lee's is the smart move, but it is now Week 9, and Lee has played a small role in two games. If the Jaguars truly want to make sure Lee can recover from his nagging hamstring, then it might be time to put him on injury reserve. 

It's not the result anyone wants, but the Jaguars are wasting a roster spot by not doing it. With WR Rashad Greene returning at some point this season, the Jaguars aren't completely without a decent option, but if Lee can't play, then perhaps it's time to give a practice-squad player or free agent a chance.

Marcedes Lewis Continues to Struggle, Continues to Drop in Stock

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Tight end Marcedes Lewis has had his worst season of his career so far. Through seven games, Lewis has eight receptions on 22 targets and a meager 61 yards.

To put it into perspective, his two catches for 13 yards against the Bills was his second-best performance of the season. For a player who used to be considered one of the most important and useful players on the offense, the drop to this point is almost staggering.

And remember: Fellow TE Julius Thomas didn't make his first regular-season appearance until the fifth game of the season against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. When Lewis needed to step up to fill his spot, he simply didn't.

While Lewis has been a solid blocking TE, the Jaguars get the same thing out of backup Nic Jacobs. Lewis isn't on the field to just block, and his severe struggles this year have been one of the few flaws in a good passing attack.

There is still nine games left in the season, but Lewis needs to get his game back for the Jaguars' push for the AFC South title. He's a captain and has a lot of meaning to this team, but his on-field struggles are dropping his stock.

Jason Myers Gets a Vote of Confidence from Gus Bradley, Maintains Stock

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Kicker Jason Myers won my midseason award for "Biggest Liability" yesterday, thanks to his three missed field goals and three missed extra points. While he could continue to be an issue for the Jaguars, Bradley has backed him going into the final nine games.

According to Jaguars.com's John Oehser, Bradley supported Myers and restated that the Jaguars were going to and will continue to be patient with him.

“We knew we were going to have some good games and some games that maybe weren’t as good, but hopefully we see continued growth, too,” Bradley said. “You’ve got to have consistency as a kicker so we believe in him, we trust him and we’re going to continue with him."

As mentioned in the linked article, the Jaguars looked to other options but felt Myers was still their best option. The bye week was the best opportunity to make that change, so it's now unlikely they'll change later in the season, save for a drastic situation taking place with Myers.

Perhaps the head coach's backing is what Myers needed. Whether it helps his confidence or not, however, he has to stop missing PATs and become a more reliable option.

Dwayne Gratz Struggled in London, Unsure Starting Position Causes a Stock Drop

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When corner Dwayne Gratz was promoted to a starting role, as reported by Fox Sports, it was met with a lot of confusion. Former starting CB Davon House had done a really solid job this season, and besides issues with Houston Texans star WR DeAndre Hopkins, he's done a great job of doing what the Jaguars have asked of him.

Many were pessimistic about Gratz going into the Bills game in London and understandably so. The third-year player hadn't progressed like the Jaguars had hoped, and his last visit to London saw Dallas Cowboys WR Dez Bryant consistently torch him.

Gratz's struggles against a Bills WR group that was missing its top two receivers confirmed the doubts heading into the game. House came on more and more as the game progressed and was able to help play an important role late.

Going into Week 9's matchup against the New York Jets, one has to wonder whether Gratz will be the starter after a poor performance in London. House has 11 passes defended this year, more than Gratz's team-leading nine in 2014.

The Jaguars have been vague about the situation, but House has to be the preferred option for this weekend and for the rest of the season. Gratz still has a role to play in Jacksonville, but he's not starter material.