JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – There is optimism for the Jacksonville Jaguars after one of the more disappointing and dysfunctional seasons in team history.

The addition of coach Doug Pederson, who won Super Bowl LII with the Philadelphia Eagles, to pair with quarterback Trevor Lawrence, has most fans hopeful 2022 will be significantly better than last season’s 4-13 debacle. The Jaguars also have the second-most salary-cap space available and the No. 1 overall pick (again), as well as three other picks in the top 70.

Owner Shad Khan wants to add an executive vice president of football operations and another position below general manager Trent Baalke to beef up the front office. Having an executive vice president in Tom Coughlin worked in 2017 -- the franchise’s only winning season in Khan’s 10 years as owner -- before Coughlin got fine-happy and the NFLPA warned players to reconsider signing with the Jaguars in 2019.

As for the AFC South, there is some uncertainty about quarterback Carson Wentz returning to the Indianapolis Colts, the Houston Texans' quarterback situation is in flux, and it’s time to start wondering how much longer running back Derrick Henry can carry the Tennessee Titans' offense. The unknowns mean there's a chance for the Jaguars to make progress in the division in 2022.

Projected salary cap space: $57,727,588

Top free agents: LT Cam Robinson, G Andrew Norwell, WR DJ Chark Jr., G A.J. Cann, WR Laquon Treadwell

Potential cut candidates: One player to watch is center Brandon Linder. Linder’s issue is he can’t stay healthy. He has missed 41 games in eight seasons (including 15 the past two seasons because of various injuries/illnesses) and has the third-highest cap value ($10 million) on the roster in 2022. There’s no dead money if they cut him.

What will Jags do with left tackle Robinson? Their decision plays a large role in what they’ll do with the No. 1 overall pick. If they use the franchise tag on Robinson for a second consecutive year, it’ll cost them roughly $16.5 million, but they also could try to sign him to an extension. That could be a number in the $17 million to $18 million range annually.

Robinson hasn’t been great -- he ranked 48th in pass block win rate among tackles in 2021 at 86.1%, which is below average (87.5%) -- but bringing him back would mean the Jaguars likely wouldn’t use the first pick on a tackle and could take one of the top-two pass-rushers in Aidan Hutchinson or Kayvon Thibodeaux.

Best-case scenario for the team’s offseason: The Jaguars bring back Robinson, add a guard either in free agency or the draft, re-sign Chark, add another receiver in free agency, and take advantage of a deep draft at receiver. If building around Lawrence is indeed the priority, then doing all of that should make him and the offense significantly better in 2022.

Worst-case scenario for the team’s offseason: Not bringing Robinson back isn’t terrible, but failing to add a receiver in free agency -- even if it’s not a impact player like Chris Godwin, Allen Robinson II or Mike Williams -- would be a mistake. As would waiting to address receiver beyond the third round in the draft. Failing to spend the money or resources to upgrade at receiver would make it hard to be much better this season.

Early look at the NFL draft, from ESPN analyst Jordan Reid: With the No. 1 overall pick for the second consecutive year, the Jaguars will likely be in search of ways to protect Lawrence and put more weapons around him. Offensive tackle and wide receiver are atop the team's list of needs, but addressing defensive end could be another possibility.

Top needs: OT, WR, EDGE

Top pick: No. 1