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Jacksonville Jaguars Free Agency 2017: Big name talent injections

By Luke Sims

Nov 27, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs strong safety Eric Berry (29) awaits the start of a down in the first half against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs strong safety Eric Berry (29) awaits the start of a down in the first half against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 15, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs strong safety Eric Berry (29) kneels on the field before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Divisional playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 15, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs strong safety Eric Berry (29) kneels on the field before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Divisional playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /

3) Eric Berry, pending Kansas City Chiefs free agent free safety

While the dominant, resilient Eric Berry would like to return to the Kansas City Chiefs, he will sit out if they use the franchise tag on him again. That is big news for any team hoping to upgrade the free safety position, especially if a deal between Berry and the Chiefs moves slowly or never fully materializes.

The Jacksonville Jaguars could be one of those teams. With money to spend ($38.5 million per Spotrac, third most in the NFL) the Jags can literally entice Berry to Jacksonville with plenty of green and a deal that locks him up for some time. Even after bringing in Tashaun Gipson in free agency during 2016, Berry is such a catch that it would be worth trying to lure him to Jacksonville. Gipson under performed his potential in 2016 and Berry consistently raises expectations with the Chiefs.

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Berry has not missed a game the last two seasons and has been highly productive, producing six interceptions (two returned for touchdowns), one fumble forced, and 19 passes defensed. He’s the back end safety that a team can rely on to make plays any time a quarterback drops back to pass. He was also in on 77 tackles.

It’s nice to have Gipson on the team, but if there’s an opportunity to go after Berry, the Jags should take it. The Jags have missed out on big-name free safeties in the past and it continues to hurt the team.

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