Jaguars Free Agency 2019: Adding offensive pieces

The Jacksonville Jaguars did some heavy lifting over the weekend, adding weapons to aid Nick Foles, helping the offensive line and bringing in a linebacker.

On Thursday, the Jacksonville Jaguars announced that quarterback Nick Foles had officially signed his four-year, $88-million deal with the team. On Friday and Saturday, the organization added more free agents to the roster to help make the signal caller’s transition to playing in the AFC South a bit easier.

Per multiple sources, which include ESPN.com and Jaguars.com, the team has signed tight end Geoff Swaim from Dallas, right tackle Cedric Ogbuehi and wide receiver Chris Conley. The team also added inside linebacker Jake Ryan to add depth alongside Telvin Smith and Myles Jack.

Team general manager David Caldwell told the media following the introduction of Foles at TIAA Bank Field on Thursday, the front office was working on potential deals to help Jacksonville’s offense. These moves may not be as big as the signing of Foles, but they could play out to be just as vital.

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The Jaguars offense averaged just 15.3 points per game last year. The combination of quarterbacks Blake Bortles and Cody Kessler was sacked 53 times in 2018 and the offensive line looked more like a M.A.S.H unit than a football team.

I am cautious about these signings as they all have potential but still need to prove each one of these players can contribute on a consistent basis. Given what the team spent on Foles, there was still some cap space to use. Caldwell mentioned on Thursday there could be more money freed up for signing free agents this offseason.

Swaim is a big tight end at 6-foot-4 and 260 pounds and could help in run blocking as well as the passing game. Last season in nine games, he caught 26 passes for 242 yards. As Caldwell told us on Thursday, the tight end spot was one the team was looking to improve and the NFL Draft was deep at that position this year.

I like the Conley signing because he brings another element of speed to the wide receiver corps. Conley, who told Jaguars.com one of the reasons he chose the Jaguars was because of the Foles signing, could be a sleeper signing if he is healthy. At 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds, he is also a big target to team with Dede Westbrook and DJ Chark.

The Jaguars were without Marqise Lee last season due to an ACL injury.

Ogbuehi could step in as the team’s right tackle or battle second-year player Will Richardson for the starting job at right tackle. A former first-round pick of the Cincinnati Bengals, he has battled injuries during his career. A fresh start may be good both he and the Jaguars.

Ryan might be the most intriguing signing of all because he could challenge for the MIKE linebacker spot in the starting lineup. He did suffer a knee injury in training camp last season with Green Bay, but if completely healthy, the team will get a young linebacker like Smith and Jack who can become a steady tackler and help in stopping the run up the middle.