Fan Friday: Answering your questions about the Jacksonville Jaguars ahead of Week 9

After falling to the Denver Broncos on their international trip to London, the Jacksonville Jaguars (2-6) headed home with a five-game losing streak.

This week, the team gets set to face off against the Las Vegas Raiders (2-5), another team that has struggled to get its footing with new leadership.

Las Vegas hired Josh McDaniels, formerly the offensive coordinator of the New England Patriots. The team also traded for future Hall of Fame receiver Davante Adams, pairing him with nine-year veteran quarterback Derek Carr.

The Jaguars went down a similar path this season, hiring offensive guru Doug Pederson to pair with young QB Trevor Lawrence and, and pairing him with high-priced free agent WR Christian Kirk.

More Jaguars coverage: 

• It's part of the job: Lawrence learned to shrug off the praise and is now working to deflect the criticism

• 'Betting on the future': Pederson talks Ridley trade, more observations on Jaguars future

• By the numbers: What did we learn about the Jaguars' Week 8 loss to the Broncos?

This week is all about getting on the right track, really, for both teams as they transverse through the first year of their new regimes.

Note: To submit questions, stay tuned to my Twitter page at @Demetrius82 or email me directly at dsharvey@gannett.com.

Jason from Duval

Question: What do you think the Jags do with Jawaan Taylor now? I am assuming Josh Allen takes priority over him and they can’t afford to pay both. Are they just banking on a comp pick in return?

Demetrius: Hi Jason, great question. Jaguars right tackle Jawaan Taylor is set to hit free agency after this season. He was picked in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft and has played well this year, allowing just seven total pressures, according to Pro Football Focus. That's tied (guard Ben Bartch) for the lowest among Jaguars offensive linemen that have played more than 155 snaps.

Guard Tyler Shatley has played 155 snaps this year, allowing just two pressures.

In any event, Taylor is playing incredibly well and would be a priority for teams that need to retain their players. Still, I don't think he takes a priority over Josh Allen, though I also don't think they would affect each other — you can pay both. What could affect Taylor is the fact the team has already paid left tackle Cam Robinson, while also drafting OL Walker Little in the second round of last year's draft.

Lisa from Jacksonville, Fla. 

Q: I keep hearing national talking heads say that we have a lot of talent on defense. But I guess they haven’t watched our team for the past month at least. What’s the deal with the talent level versus performance with our team?

D: The Jaguars do have a lot of talent on defense. Outside linebacker Josh Allen is talented, albeit inconsistent. Safety Rayshawn Jenkins is playing well this year. Linebackers Foye Oluokun and rookie Devin Lloyd are tackling machines and the team has some solid depth inside.

The Jaguars also boast one of the more talented cornerbacks in the league, and as a whole are the 12th-ranked run defense in the league. The team simply has been far too inconsistent this season, especially when it comes to closing games out.

Chris from Niagara Falls, Canada. 

Q: Hi, Demetrius. In my opinion, 2023 is the Jags' most-important season in franchise history. I think they should load up on offensive weapons in the draft, including an early WR. You need to know if Trevor is the guy going forward. Your thoughts?

D: Hi Chris, thanks for your question. I absolutely agree that 2023 is one of the most important seasons in franchise history for Jacksonville, but especially for the present. The team is going to need to take a huge leap next year. They'll need to be aggressive in adding talent around Lawrence.

They began that process by trading for suspended Atlanta Falcons receiver Calvin Ridley. Ridley is a nice start, but they'll need to continue adding to their arsenal of weapons.

Tim from Ponte Vedra, Florida

Q: I’d like to know your thoughts: Given the Jags acquisition of Calvin Ridley, what position would you say becomes the top priority for our 1st draft pick?

D: Hi Tim, thanks for writing in! In my opinion, the acquisition of Ridley shouldn't change what the Jaguars will do with their first-round pick next year. Ridley hasn't played football in nearly two years now, and that will be the case as the team heads into the 2023 regular season, if he is to be reinstated by the league.

Jacksonville should still look to bring in a talented receiver and I'm sure they will likely stay the course as far as their draft pick goes in the first round.

Jason from Portland, OR 

Q: The 2024 compensation confused me. A 2024 4th rounder if he’s on the team, a 2nd rounder if he’s signed to an extension. Calvin’s a free agent after 2023. If he’s on the team in 2024, it would have to be an extension, right? Or if he’s franchise tagged, does that not count as an extension?

D: Hi Jason, I'll try my best to answer this question with the knowledge I know. If Ridley is on the team in 2023, they'll have to give the Falcons a fourth-round pick in 2023. If he's not, they won't owe them a fourth-round pick, just a fifth-round pick in 2023. He will likely be on the team that season, but if the team signs him to a long-term extension, they'll owe the Falcons a second-round pick.

That much will come to fruition during the 2023 season and how that plays out. There is also another stipulation: if Ridley reaches certain milestones, it will be a 2023 third-round pick.

It's a complex trade, but it's one that could go down as one of the best deals made in team history. For further explanation, if Ridley doesn't pan out at all, and doesn't get reinstated, the Jaguars will only give the Falcons a sixth-round pick. Not too bad.

Marshall West from Titusville

Q: How do you think Tyson Campbell will fair against a truly elite WR in Davante Adams?

D: Hi Marshall, thanks for your question. Tyson Campbell has been one of the team's best defensive players this year — perhaps best player, period. Last week, he allowed just one reception to Denver Broncos WR Cortland Sutton, shadowing him on over 70 percent of the plays on Sunday.

He's only allowed two touchdowns this year, and it really hasn't looked close in terms of who has played the best in the Jacksonville secondary.

Having said that, this week will be a completely different challenge. Campbell going up against future Hall of Fame receiver Davante Adams is perhaps the toughest challenge he will have. Adams is one of the best route-runners in football and can play anywhere on the field. I think Campbell will do well, considering, but Adams will get his, too.

Demetrius Harvey is the Jacksonville Jaguars reporter for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on Twitter at @Demetrius82.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jaguars fan mailbag ahead of Week 9 against the Jacksonville Jaguars