Jordan Cameron Should be Top Free Agent Tight End Target for Jaguars
By Daniel Lago
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The Jacksonville Jaguars are going to look to add a handful of impact veterans next week when free agency starts, and one of the big names they might go after is Denver Broncos tight end
Julius Thomas.
how Thomas would fit with the Jaguars, even if they kept veteran tight end
Marcedes Lewis.
"Thomas would help the Jaguars in the receiving department and would pair well with the better blocking of Marcedes Lewis. This would enable the Jaguars to use both players in advantageous situations for their abilities, setting the team up with better schemes in tough situation. In 2014, the Jaguars desperately needed to create mismatches but found themselves short on talent."
I would prefer to release Lewis and look for a cheaper option as an inline blocker, but either way the Jaguars clearly need an upgraded pass catcher at the tight end position. Thomas does make sense, but the Jaguars might be better off targeting Cleveland Browns tight end Jordan Cameron.
Coming off a Pro Bowl year in 2013, Cameron had a down year thanks entirely to issues with concussions. Obviously that’s alarming, but his injury history should drive Cameron’s price down. The Browns chose not to franchise Cameron, even though it wasn’t exactly an exorbitant price to pay.
"It would’ve cost the Browns over $8 million to franchise Cameron and over $7 million to tag him with the transition tag. Cameron’s history of concussions could devalue him on the free agent market."
Talent-wise, I don’t think there is a significant difference between Julius Thomas and Jordan Cameron. Despite the underwhelming play of his quarterbacks, Cameron managed to produce enough to warrant a Pro Bowl selection, and he flashed his big play ability last year even with some of his concussion problems. Thomas has had the benefit of Peyton Manning, and while that shouldn’t discount his production, it should certainly be taken into account when evaluating what kind of impact he could have with the Jaguars.
Handing Cameron a contract worth probably half the value of what Thomas is likely to receive will make it easier for the Jaguars to pursue other big name guys like Randall Cobb and Bryan Bulaga.