TOP JAGUARS OF 2019: #9

David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire

Another key offensive player comes in at number nine. 
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BY JORDAN DE LUGO

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This offseason I'm counting down the top ten Jaguars of 2019. Our list kicked off with a wide receiver at number ten.

​You can check that article out here 

It wasn't so long ago that Andrew Norwell was the highest paid guard in football. Just after the start of the 2018 league year, the Jaguars signed Norwell to a five-year contract worth $66.5 million, $30 million of which is guaranteed. His record-breaking deal has now been eclipsed — such is the nature of the NFL these days.

But Norwell didn't live up to his lucrative deal in year one with the Jags. He wasn't bad by any measure. But when you sign a player to a market setting deal, you expect him to play at or close a Pro Bowl level. Norwell simply wasn't anywhere near that level of play. Instead, he resembled a slightly above average left guard for his new team, not the All-Pro that he was just the season before. 

Despite some performance struggles, especially in the run blocking department, it should be noted that Norwell only surrendered two sacks and one quarterback hit all year. And he was battling injuries for much of the season. He was ultimately placed on injured reserve after 11 games with an ankle injury. 

Entering his sixth year in the league, at 27 years of age, Norwell has a lot to prove. But with what should be an improved offensive line around him, the former All-Pro guard should return to form. With George Warhop now coaching up the offensive line, there's a fair amount of optimism surrounding the entire group. Like many of the Jaguars' offensive lineman, success in 2019 may very well depend simply on health for Andrew Norwell. 

Earlier this summer, he vowed that he wouldn't "let his teammates down again." Norwell missed some time during OTAs with a minor left ankle sprain but returned to practice during mandatory minicamp without further aggravation. 

What are your expectations for Andrew Norwell in 2019? Let us know in the comments below.

Follow Jordan on Twitter. ​