The Jacksonville Jaguars, founded in 1995, have not been in the NFL for that long but have experienced a turbulent history. However, young fans believe they grew from scratch from start-up to champion. The fans forget each team had experienced players who contributed to its current status. This feature looked into the ten most impactful players in Jaguars history, exploring their fantastic work, crowned with awards and medals, and their current influence on the team.

1. Tony Boselli

Tony Boselli is the Jaguars’ first draft pick, and the team has never matched the standards as a first pick. Boselli was a complete package, and serving the team for only six years in the league is a short duration for a legend. However, during the short stay, Jackson’s first pick broke incredible records, forming a legacy in the team. Boselli recorded five consecutive Pro Bowl selections from 1996 to 2000, and with All-Pro, First-team honors were earned between 1997 and 1999.

Boselli’s performance in the offensive line gave Jackson six years of early success, leading an AFC Championship appearance in 1999. He was a team leader, and his no-nonsense day set for an entire squad. His playing career was nothing compared to his work in the city. 

2. Fred Taylor

Fred Taylor, drafted ninth in 1998, put together one of the best running back careers in NFL history with the Jaguars. Taylor gained 11,271 rushing yards, 286 receptions for 2,361 yards, and 70 total touchdowns over his 11 years in Jacksonville. Taylor was a stabilizing force in the Jaguars’ offensive scheme. His strong running game opened up the passing game and would keep defenses honest.

Despite early career injuries leading him to earn the nickname “Fragile Fred,” Taylor was a consistent, reliable back for most of his career. Taylor ran for 11,695 yards in his career, good for 17th place on the NFL’s all-time rushing list. Taylor was a cornerstone of the Jaguars’ success in the late 1990s and early 2000s. His blend of speed, power, and elusiveness made him one of the most dangerous running backs of his time, and his performance over a decade proves he deserves a spot on the Jaguars’ Mt. Rushmore.

3. Jimmy Smith

Smith’s journey from nearly losing his career due to a life-threatening infection with the Dallas Cowboys to Jacksonville’s all-time leading receiver is incredible.

The wide receiver spent 11 seasons with the Jaguars, collecting 862 receptions for 12,287 yards combined with 67 touchdowns. Moreover, Smith reached the Pro Bowl for five consecutive seasons from 1997 until 2001 and became his team leader in receiving during the years 1996 and 2005. His contribution to the development of the Jaguars’ offense was indispensable. Smith became a deep threat to any defense, creating more space and opportunities for his teammates. 

4. Mark Brunell

Without Brunell’s outstanding leadership and playmaking, it would be hard to fathom the Jaguars ever being an AFC contender in their early years. In the age before the dual-threat quarterback popularized the game, Brunell was a mobile and accurate quarterback who could take over a game early. Many of his passing records set with the Jaguars still have yet to be touched, showcasing his long-lasting impact on the franchise.

5. Tony Brackens

Brackens was a second-round draft pick in 1996 who eventually became the best pass rusher in Jaguars history. Over his eight-year career with the Jaguars, he recorded 55 sacks and 28 forced fumbles, both of which are franchise records.

His fit was evident during the team’s ascension from 1999-2001, recording 12.5 sacks and eight forced fumbles in 1999 and being recognized as a Pro Bowler.  His pass rush was so dominant that the quarterback was forced to make a quick decision, ultimately leading to a turnover. The 28 forced fumbles he made were a game-changer that ultimately turned the tables in favor of the Jaguars.

6. Maurice Jones-Drew

Jones-Drew was a second-round draft pick in 2006 who instantly became an all-time Jag. At 5’7” and not the heaviest player on the field, Jones-Drew was a bulldozer since his height disadvantage led to his own hard-nosed running.

Enduringly sharing backfield duties with Fred Taylor for his first three years, Jones-Drew ascended to the role of primary back in 2009. He was named to three straight Pro Bowls from ’09 to ’11 and totaled a league-high 1,606 rushing yards in 2011.

His best season came in 2011, when he totaled 1,980 yards from scrimmage and 11 touchdowns, earning first-team All-Pro honors. Moreover, his outgoing personality off the field made Jones-Drew the face of the franchise during his Jaguars run. His success demonstrated that a leading player from a small-market club like Jacksonville may still be a national figure, putting the Jaguars on the NFL map.

7. Keenan McCardell

Keenan quickly became one of the leading players in Jaguars history after joining as a free agent in 1996, notching 85 catches for 1,129 yards and three touchdowns in his debut season. The reason behind McCardell’s Thunder label was his tenacity in making catches in the center of the field when matched up with Jimmy Smith in the Thunder and Lightning receiving combo. McConnell and Smith teamed up for nine 100-yard reception games. 

McCardell’s contributions to the Jaguars’ early accomplishments are unquantifiable. His capacity to balance Smith with and offer additional support to quarterback Mark Brunell was crucial in spending two AFC Championship seasons.

8. Rashean Mathis

Mathis was one of the most significant and influential defensive players in Jaguars franchise history. Mathis, a native of Jacksonville, has been a starter since his first game as a rookie, quickly establishing himself as a ball-hawking cornerback. Mathis’ best season was in 2006, when he recorded a team record of eight interceptions and went to his only Pro Bowl. His ability to track quarterback and generate opportunities has made him a constant threat in the hostile red zone. Mathis had 30 interceptions throughout ten seasons with the Jaguars, a team record still held.

9. Marcus Stroud

Marcus Stroud was soon one of the fiercest defensive tackles in the league with the Jaguars. Stroud’s contributions to the Jaguars’ defense were unquestionable, as he could stop the run and pressure the quarterback, which made him the complete defensive tackle.

Recording at least 4.5 sacks in three consecutive years was impressive for a player primarily responsible for clogging up the middle. Stroud combined with John Henderson to form one of the best duos of defensive tackles in the NFL. His work in the middle was an essential part of the Jaguars’ success in the mid-2000s. Although injuries limited his effectiveness, career, and subsequent trade to Buffalo, Stroud’s impact on the Jaguars as a franchise was significant.

10. John Henderson

The first-round pick in the 2002 NFL Draft was the perfect complement to Stroud on the inside of the Jaguars’ defensive line. Henderson and Stroud were among the best in the league in their positions and helped the Jaguars improve defensively in the second half of the first decade of the new century. Henderson’s influence on the Jaguars’ defense was long-lasting. A durable player, he started 120 of the 124 games he played for the Jaguars.

Alternating twice to the Pro Bowl was a tough task given the talents around the league from defense tackle. Henderson could stop the run and leave a hole in the middle of the offensive line.

In the grand scheme of flashy impact like most of the players on this list have brought to the field, Henderson’s role of stabling the Jaguars’ defense through in the fall of 2006 makes him one of the franchise’s most impactful players in history.