Jacksonville Jaguars: Monday free agency recap
By Billy Long
Monday was the unofficial start of free agency, as legal tampering for teams began in the NFL.
On Monday, the offseason whirlwind continued league-wide as the legal tampering period for free agency arrived. Teams can’t make any moves and transactions official until Wednesday, but was allowed to put plans into motion.
The Jacksonville Jaguars used Monday to take care of some internal matters, and was also name dropped in reports citing the team as interested in some pending offensive free agents.
Here’s a quick recap of what went down regarding the Jaguars on Monday:
Corey Grant
The Jaguars have decided to place a second-round tender on running back Corey Grant. The tender is set at $2.9 million and means that if Grant is offered a contract by another team, Jacksonville can keep Grant by matching the offer, or receive a second-round pick from the opposing team in return for Grant.
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Grant most notable contributions have come as a special teams ace, but the speedster also proved to be an efficient weapon on offense in last season’s AFC championship game against the New England. If the Jaguars would continue to increase Grant’s role on offense next season if retained for have to be seen, however.
Ben Koyack/William Poehls
Jacksonville also has placed exclusive-rights tenders on tight end Ben Koyack and offensive lineman William Poehls. These tenders are basically what the named suggests: the two players must choose to sign and stay with the Jaguars, or not play for any team next season.
Koyack only had five receptions for the team last season, but did have the lone touchdown in the playoff win over the Buffalo Bills in January. Poehls impact was non-existent, as the lineman was inactive for the entire season in 2017.
Other news
Two other notable nuggets arose on Monday about the Jaguars. Jacksonville is reportedly interested in tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins, previously with the New York Jets:
#Seahawks will have competition if they want to sign hometown TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins. Source tells me Bears, Jaguars, Colts also interested in former #UWHuskies, Gig Harbor HS star in free agency https://t.co/eljaJmotSk @thenewstribune
— Gregg Bell (@gbellseattle) March 12, 2018
Jacksonville is in need of a pass-catching tight end, a piece that has been missing for some time now.
The Jaguars also have taken an interest in wide receiver Sammy Watkins, previously of the Los Angeles Rams:
The #Jaguars have shown interest in WR Sammy Watkins, per league source.
— Mike Kaye (@mike_e_kaye) March 12, 2018
The team must bolster the unit regardless, but with the looming possibility that Allen Robinson walks in free agency, a wide receiver addition is becoming critical.