Jacksonville Jaguars: Potential 2018 free agent targets to keep an eye on
By Billy Long
With free agency on the horizon in the NFL, who could the Jacksonville Jaguars target as additions?
The chaos of free agency in the NFL is about to be released as the new league year starts this week. Monday began the legal tampering period for teams, and the official new year begins on Wednesday at 4:00 p.m.
Who could the Jacksonville Jaguars look to add in free agency for 2018? Let’s take a look at some potential targets for the team:
Offensive guard
Andrew Norwell is the cream of the crop in this class, so adding him would be a splash move by the Jaguars, but also a move that would be a major surprise. Just don’t see the team throwing the cash at Norwell with other options in play.
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Josh Sitton is a moderately more reasonable option than Norwell. But would Jacksonville be comfortable with signing the veteran at 31 years old?
The player to really watch out for is Justin Pugh. Pugh is only 27 years old, and with spending his first five seasons with the New York Giants, has played for both Tom Coughlin and current Jaguars offensive line coach Pat Flaherty. That connection could play dividends at a dire position of need.
Tight end
I’ll start by saying that I don’t think the Jaguars put much interest in a guy like Jimmy Graham. The Jaguars can find a cheaper alternative, that can still provide the skill set the team desperately lacks.
A worthwhile signing if the price is right could be Trey Burton. Burton was just beginning to tap into his potential with the Philadelphia Eagles, and as evident in his team’s Super Bowl run last season, has a multitude of playmaking abilities.
A new report suggests the team is interested in Austin Seferian-Jenkins. While he would upgrade the position, Seferian-Jenkins has missed multiple games every season he has been in the league.
Wide Receiver
With the decision to not put the franchise tag on Allen Robinson, or come to terms on a new deal yet, the Jaguars may try to sign a guy elsewhere at receiver.
Sammy Watkins is a name that has been thrown around often lately when it comes to Jacksonville. But why not just re-sign Robinson at that point? I get that they are not the same type players, but is whatever the difference in contracts worth choosing Watkins over keeping Robinson?
Honestly, I don’t think any free agent prospect at the position makes more sense than just keeping Robinson, even if that appears to be a quickly dying possibility. But without Robinson, the need for receivers becomes that much more critical for Jacksonville in free agency and the draft, and bringing guys in is an absolute must.
Quarterback
With re-signing Blake Bortles, the Jaguars took themselves out of contention for going after a big fish to be the starter, like Kirk Cousins or Drew Brees.
Now Jacksonville could look to add a veteran backup that can push Bortles. Any one of Teddy Bridgewater, Josh McCown, Case Keenum, or Sam Bradford can be a reliable backup that each have the talent to put a fire under Bortles.