2017 Free Agency Rumors: Jacksonville Jaguars interested in Martellus Bennett
By Luke Sims
The Jacksonville Jaguars’ free agency interests are about to come to fruition in 2017 free agency starting March ninth, and Martellus Bennett may be at the top of the list.
Nevermind that the 2017 NFL Draft has an incredibly deep draft class at the tight end position, if the Jacksonville Jaguars have the ability to land a top tight end in free agency, they’ll take. It the latest 2017 free agency rumor is that the Jags have expressed interest in New England Patriots tight end Martellus Bennett.
But the Jags will have to compete with the Oakland Raiders and possibly the Patriots if they want Bennett’s services, per Pro Football Talk. In the words of Mike Florio, “The Jacksonville angle makes sense, given that Bennett once spent a year with the Giants, when they were coached by Tom Coughlin. As in current Jaguars executive V.P. of football operations Tom Coughlin.”
If the Jags have the inside track, it may be a logical solution to the hole at the tight end position that will be created by the Jags-Miami Dolphins trade of Julius Thomas. Thomas wasn’t versatile enough for Coughlin.
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Whether Bennett can more adequately fill that need for versatility at the tight end position remains to be seen. The Jags may be better served by looking for a young, versatile stud tight end in the draft.
It is expected that Coughlin may operate similarly to how he did when first with the Jaguars, targeting just a few players in free agency and really going after them. If Bennett is one of those players, then it leaves just a couple of others that will likely be targeted by the team. With plenty of holes still on the roster, the Jags may, once again, be relying on an influx of young talent more than veteran players like Bennett.