Jacksonville Jaguars: Veterans who could be on the move
By David Levin
With a need for change on the teams roster this coming season, which Jacksonville Jaguars might be traded before training camp?
It was only a matter of time before the rumors began of a possible trade involving Leonard Fournette. After an injury-filled season that also including a suspension by the NFL and grumblings about dissention inside TIAA Bank Field, the Jacksonville Jaguars may move on from their star running back.
It could also mean the organization looks at other trade options before or during the NFL Draft to acquire picks and players to improve the team’s offense.
It’s the nature of the business, where one season a team looks poised to win a Super Bowl and falls into the depths of the bottom feeders of the league. Hopefully, the fall from grace by this organization is temporary and not a symptom of years of losing and unmet expectations.
More from Jacksonville Jaguars News
- Jacksonville Jaguars should welcome Derrick Henry into the kingdom
- Jaguars Rumors: Trent Baalke seems to be getting respect now
- Jaguars News: This division rival might be making a big move
- Former Jacksonville Jaguars S Johnathan Cyprien: “New Profession, Same Standards”
- Jacksonville Jaguars TE Evan Engram officially gets the franchise tag: 3 takeaways
The one thing that is certain is that defensive end Calais Campbell will return in 2019. There was some speculation the defensive end who had 10.5 sacks in 2018 could become a cap casualty. The Jaguars need his leadership on the field and in the locker room.
If the Jaguars go trade Fournette, it may come as part of a package to move up in the Draft to grab Ohio State signal caller Dwayne Haskins. As you know, I am not sold on taking a quarterback this high in the Draft because the talent this season is weaker than in years past.
Black and Teal’s Lorenzino Estrada wrote last week he believes the Jaguars shouldn’t give up on Fournette just yet.
Malik Jackson, in a story last month in the Florida Times-Union, spoke about his reduced role in the team’s defense and knows he may part ways with the Jaguars this offseason. The defensive tackle’s salary cap figure and the team’s drafting of Taven Bryan are reason enough to believe he has played his last game in Jacksonville.
"“In my mind, if I’m third or fourth on the depth chart making $14.5 million to $15 million, I don’t see too much future for me in Jacksonville,” Jackson said. “I’m not trying to be a journeyman by any means. But it’s a business and soon as you try to forget that then it’s a rude awakening for sure.”"
Jackson and Fournette aren’t the only players who may wear new uniforms in 2019. Here are a few more names to consider.
Marcell Dareus – The Jaguars worked a deal during the 2017 bye week to bring Marcell Dareus over from Buffalo for a fifth-round draft pick. It was a shrewd move that helped the run defense. While Dareus is a much-needed player on the team’s interior line, his cap figure might be a cause for concern.
Since the Jaguars were able to keep Campbell, and it looks as though Jackson is no longer part of the team’s plans, Dareus has a $10.585 million cap figure in 2019 according to overthecap.com.
Tashaun Gipson – If the Jaguars trade or release Tashaun Gipson, it means they will start 2019 with two new safeties. Gipson’s play from 2017 did dip.
Gipson has a $9 million cap hit next year and with Jarrod Wilson on the roster and the potential of the team signing a free agent for less cash, this is more of a reality than I once thought. In envision a secondary with Gipson, Ronnie Harrison, Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye. That might be too much to ask in 2019.
The Jaguars should think about trading the veteran safety instead of releasing him.
Blake Bortles – Unlike most local and national media, I am not sold on the team releasing Blake Bortles this offseason and think there is still some value in keeping him on the roster.
Bortles contract last season handcuffs the team with $16.5 million in dead cap space. But the question becomes more about finding a better signal caller in free agency. Would the Jaguars use Bortles as a backup or a bridge quarterback to a rookie coming in?
The Jaguars must make a decision regarding their quarterback situation sooner rather than later so the team can focus on other areas of need this offseason.
It’s a story that we all will follow with great interest.
Do the Jacksonville Jaguars draft a tackle in April?. dark. Next
For the sake of turning the page and beginning anew, the Jaguars will more than likely end this marriage, eating the $16.5 million and hope they can find a veteran for a year or two while grooming a rookie for the future.