Jacksonville Jaguars Free Agency 2017: The Arrivals, Departures, and Trades
By Luke Sims
Re-Signings
Some of these re-signings occurred before the first day of free agency but are well worth keeping in mind. The Jags have been active in keeping some quality, solid players around on team-friendly deals.
Abry Jones, defensive lineman
Abry Jones stepped in at defensive tackle in 2016 and never looked back. Over nine starts, he racked up 26 tackles and did everything asked of him while working alongside Malik Jackson.
The Jags closed on Jones well before free agency began, giving him a deal worth $16 million over four years with $6.5 million guaranteed. He’s a Tom Coughlin guy provides quickness and versatility for the Jaguars.
Patrick Omameh, guard
Patrick Omameh has been a solid player for the Jacksonville Jaguars, if unspectacular. With limited depth along the offensive line, Omameh’s presence is crucial at guard. He was in for 10 games in 2016, including seven starts.
Most importantly, Omameh allowed the Jaguars to move on from draft bust Luke Joeckel, who transitioned to guard in 2016. Joeckel simply wasn’t as good as Omameh and will now be playing (see Departures) elsewhere.
Omameh’s deal is for one year and worth $775,000.
Bryan Walters, wide receiver
Announced right before free agency began, the Jacksonville Jaguars have a major bargain signing in Bryan Walters. The wide receiver has been the most reliable target of any player for the Jaguars over the last two seasons. Cribbing from B&T’s post on the deal:
"What does jump off the page is Walters’ catch rate, which was 70.6 percent in 2016 and 71.1 percent in 2015. Those are the best catch rates for the Jaguars over the last two seasons among tight ends and wide receivers with at least 25 targets."
The two-year, $1.86 million deal should be a good fit for Walters’ value. If he meets his incentives, that number could jump to $2.3 million per Mike Kaye.
Arrelious Benn, wide receiver
One of the more noticeable players for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Arrelious Benn’s big touchdown against the Chicago Bears gave the Jags one of the team’s few wins. Now Benn gets a one-year deal with a second-year option to stick around with the Jaguars.
Peyton Thompson, cornerback
Thompson’s contributions mostly come in special teams, though he has been pressed into service for the Jaguars defense at times.
The Jags placed an exclusive rights tender on Thompson, retaining him for the coming year.
Tyler Shatley, offensive lineman
Shatley has four starts with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Primarily sticking around for depth, Shatley has shown enough on the field to warrant keeping him around. General manager Dave Caldwell highlighted his work ethic in announcing the deal. The Jags have signed him for two years.
Josh Wells, offensive lineman
To say that Josh Wells has been overlooked by most Jags fans would be easy. Missing all of 2015 and only seeing action in five games in 2016, Wells hasn’t been on the field much recently. He was set to be a restricted free agent in 2017.