The Jacksonville Jaguars need reinforcements on offense.
After 15 weeks of NFL football, it’s fair to say the Jacksonville Jaguars aren’t a good team. You can certainly bring up all the injuries they have gone through, but in the end, they are what their 1-13 record says, the worst team in the league in 2020.
If there’s a silver lining is that the ‘Jags’ will enter the offseason with plenty of resources to give their roster the aggressive turnover it needs. They will have 11 draft selectins at their disposal and $77.61 million in cap space, per Over the Cap.
It’s believed this Jacksonville team will draft Trevor Lawrence with first overall selection in the 2021 NFL Draft and finally put their quarterback woes to rest. However, what they do with their remainding picks and their cap space is anybody’s guess.
The Jaguars could fortify their defensive line or upgrade their left tackle position early in the Player Selection Meeting. They have some so many needs that they may not be able to address all of them.
However, Jacksonville could also add playmakers via free agency and if that’s the route they want to take, there will be some appealing choices. One of them is Tennessee Titans tight end Jonnu Smith, who is expected to become a free agent after the 2020 season. Here are few reasons why the Jaguars should make a priority to sign him.
The Jacksonville Jaguars may not take a tight end early in the draft.
This Jacksonville team needs a tight end who can challenge opposing defenses in the middle of the field and prevent them from doubling other players. There isn’t such playmaker on the roster right now and there will be some available in the offseason.
Kyle Pitts of Florida will be the top tight end prospect in 2021’s draft. He played in eight games this season, logging eight receptions for 43 yards for 770 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also showed the physical traits that should help him thrive in the NFL.
The ‘Jags’ will draft a quarterback prospect, likely Trevor Lawrence, with the first overall pick. However they have another first-round selection, the second one they received in exchange for cornerback Jalen Ramsey in 2019, which is projected to be the 24th overall. They could use that choice to take Pitts, but the problem with that is that he may have already be gone by them, as he will likely be the first tight end chosen.
The team’s brass could always trade up to get Pitts, but cost could be too hefty and they have more pressing holes to fill. Thus, it would make sense to target Jonnu Smith in free agency.
Jonnu Smith is the kind of tight end the Jacksonville Jaguars need.
The Jaguars could certainly use a boost in their tight end room. Former Cincinnati Bengal Tyler Eifert has been serviceable in 2020, hauling in 33 receptions for 322 yards and two touchdowns. Veteran James O’Shaughnessy has also contributed with 25 catches for 239 yards but hasn’t scored this season.
Meanwhile, Jonnu Smith is having a solid season in his fourth-year with the Tennessee Titans. He’s played in 12 games and has caught 37 yards for 410 and seven touchdowns. His yardage isn’t much better than Eifert’s but Smith provides an element of playmaking prowess in the red zone, something the ‘Jags’ currently lack.
Smith won’t likely command ‘Travis Kelce’ kind of money in free agency, but the fact he will be one of the best tight end available should increase the demand for his services and in turn, his price tag. He could end up getting a contract similar to the one Las Vegas Raiders signed in 2019, a four-year $29.8 million deal, which is rather affordable.
The Jaguars have plenty of cap space in 2021, but that doesn’t mean they should use it for the sake of it. They have to be selective in their signings and bring in players that will make a difference for the team next season, Smith could be one of them.