The Jacksonville Jaguars are getting ready for the offseason.
It’s true the offseason started for the Jacksonville Jaguars when they lost to the Indianapolis Colts in 2020’s regular-season finale, but many things have happened since then. First, they moved on from Doug Marrone and hired Urban Meyer as their new head coach. Also, Joe Cullen is expected to become their new defensive coordinator and Darren Bevell will be named the team’s next offensive coordinator.
Moreover, the ‘Jags’ have announced they have hired Trent Baalke as their general manager after holding the job on an interim basis throughout a stretch last season. Now that the coaching staff and the front office are taking shape, the organization can start preparing for the draft and free agency.
This Jacksonville team is set to have $73 million in cap space this offseason and won’t have any restrains pursuing any free agent they want. They could sign a couple of big-name players and still have enough money left to make a few meaningful additions. The Arizona Cardinals currently have 19 unrestricted free agents and many of them are worth a look. Here are the three best the ‘Jags’ should look at.
Kelvin Beachum can fortify the Jacksonville Jaguars’ offensive line.
The Jaguars need upgrades in most position groups. Fortunately, they also have the means to fix plenty of them. Besides being financially healthy, they have 11 draft picks and their disposal, and it will be interesting to see what units general manager Trent Baalke prioritizes.
Jacksonville’s interior offensive line is solid, but the same can’t be said about their two offensive tackle spots. Even though their left tackle position deserves the most attention, they can’t neglect the right side of their offensive line. Incumbent Jawaan Taylor is entering his third year in the NFL and regressed in 2020 after having a solid rookie season.
While Taylor could end up recovering from a sophomore slump, the ‘Jags’ should bring back Kelvin Beachum, who was with the team in 2016. The Cardinals’ right tackle has been consistent throughout his career and the benefits of signing him are twofold.
The former seventh-round pick has started 76 games in the last five years and could step into the starting lineup right away. If Taylor ends up showing enough to keep his job, Beachum could then serve as the Jaguars’ primary backup offensive tackle. Beachum might have some demand for his services in the open market but signing him shouldn’t be prohibitive.
Haason Reddick can help the Jacksonville Jaguars generate pressure upfront.
The Jaguars struggled to generate pressure upfront throughout most of the 2020 season. Although they got a bit better in the second half of the season, it still wasn’t enough and opposing offenses scored points at ease. Moving on from defensive ends Calais Campbell and Yannick Ngakoue last offseason certainly hurt, but now the team has enough resources to solidify their front seven.
Defensive end K’Lavon Chaisson should be better in Year 2 and Josh Allen should be able to get into Pro Bowl shape after dealing with a knee injury in 2020. However, Jacksonville needs to give them help, and they could do it in free agency. Cardinals outside linebacker Haason Reddick will be one of the hottest names available and the ‘Jags’ should have no problem making a bid for his services.
Reddick had a breakout year in 2020. He logged 63 total tackles (15 for a loss),12.5, six forced fumbles, four passes defensed after registering 7.5 quarterback takedowns and three forced fumbles in his first three years in the desert.
Heading into free agency, it’s fair to wonder if Reddick is a one-year wonder and only burst onto the scene because he was in a contract year. Nevertheless, that’s a risk every team takes when signing a free agent. This is no different.
The Jacksonville Jaguars could bring in an All-Pro cornerback.
It’s not just the defensive line, the Jaguars need to bolster all levels of defense this offseason. Injuries hit the group pretty hard, and their cornerback group, in particular, saw its three top players go down. C.J. Henderson was placed on the Injury reserve list with a groin injury last season but should get his old job this offseason.
However, it’s uncertain who will start opposite of the Florida standout in 2021, as Sidney Jones and D.J Hayden are set to hit the open market. Greg Mabin, who started four games last season, will be a free agent too, so the Jaguars could take the opportunity to revamp their cornerback group.
Even if they bring one of their pending free-agent corners, they could target Patrick Peterson, who will hit the open market for the first time in his ten-year career. The veteran cornerback has built a pretty good resume during his stint in Arizona and has amassed eight Pro Bowl nods and three All-Pro designations. He’s still playing at a high level, as the 2020 season attested, logging eight passes defensed and three interceptions.
Peterson will be one of the most coveted free agents this offseason, but if the Jaguars want him, it’s unlikely someone will outbid them, as they have enough cap space to lure the cornerback.