Just because the regular season is over doesn’t mean this is a calm period for the NFL. In fact, this has been one of the most hectic offseasons the Jacksonville Jaguars have had in team history. It’s a good thing they have been busy though. It would be concerning if they had taken a passive attitude after finishing 1-15 in 2020.
The ‘Jags’ moved on from head coach Doug Marrone and hired Urban Meyer to oversee the rebuild. They also promoted Trent Baalke from director of player personnel to general manager after holding the position on an interim basis late in the season.
Looking back, the organization’s decision to clean the house made sense, as it would’ve been puzzling to let the previous regime, the one that put the team in the position it’s in, get this Jacksonville out of the cellar.
Think about it, former Jaguars general manager David Caldwell failed to add enough playmakers in his eight-year tenure with the team. Do you think he would make the most of the 11 draft picks the team currently has? Last year, he had enough cap space to sign a few playmakers in the open market, but other than linebacker Joe Schobert, he stayed passive and refrained from making any meaningful additions.
This year is different though and the ‘Jags’ can’t repeat the mistakes the previous regime make. They currently have $77 million in cap room and should be able to land a few impact-free agents this offseason. Pro Football Focus thinks these three will land in Jacksonville this offseason.
The Jacksonville Jaguars need to keep adding weapons on offense.
A wise man from Canada once said that ‘the best defense is a good offense‘ and that’s true in the NFL. The Jaguars have a couple of solid wide receivers in DJ Chark Jr. and Laviska Shenault Jr. Nevertheless, if they want to use the first overall selection 2021’s draft on Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence, they need to get him as many weapons as they can get. Thus, adding another wideout in the open market would be smart.
PFF predicts the ‘Jags’ will give Indianapolis Colts wide receiver T.Y. Hilton a three-year $28.5 million contract this offseason. On the surface, it made sense, as the Florida International product has made four Pro Bowls and has hauled in 608 receptions for 9,360 yards and 50 touchdowns in his nine-year career.
However, Hilton hasn’t had a 1,000-yard season since 2018 and may not the wide receiver he was in his prime. If this were 2015, it would make sense for the Jaguars to sign the 2012 second-round pick, but it’s 2021 and they may be better off giving that same contract to Keelan Cole, who is scheduled to become a free agent but has been a solid contributor throughout his four-year career in Jacksonville.
Josh Johnson would upgrade the Jacksonville Jaguars’ secondary.
Signing Los Angeles Rams safety John Johnson III would be better than adding T.Y. Hilton. PFF predicts that the Jaguars will offer him a four-year $52 million contract in the open market. The Boston College product will be one of the Top 3 safeties in free agency, and the amount of the deal would be proportional to his production.
Originally a third-round pick in 2017, Johnson has been a key cog in the Rams back seven, logging 350 total tackles, 32 passes defensed, one forced fumble, and eight interceptions. Last season, he allowed a 69.1 completion rate but just 6.4 yards per reception and 4.4 per target. Moreover, he didn’t give up any touchdowns in any of the passes thrown his way.
Although the Jaguars should prioritize upgrading their defensive line and their cornerback room, they can’t neglect their safety group either. They need to find someone to play next to Jarrod Wilson and the answer may not be on the roster.
Daniel Thomas showed flashes in his rookie year, but Jacksonville should err on the side of caution and sign Johnson in the open market. They should aggressively pursue him or Marcus Williams in free agency and reinforce their front four and their cornerback unit in the draft.
The Jacksonville Jaguars could also fortify their defensive line.
The Jaguars should definitely use a few draft picks in this year’s selection meeting to take a couple of pass rushers. They could target defensive end Carlos Basham Jr. late in the first round or early in the second and Cameron Sample later in the process.
On the other hand, this Jacksonville needs to beef up their front four and add a defensive tackle in free agency. Dalvin Tomilson will be one of the best ones to hit the open market. PFF believes the ‘Jags’ will sign the Alabama product to a four-year $52.5 million contract. The advance statistics site adds that Tomilson excelled in both run support and as a pass rusher last season.
The former second-round pick has started every possible game in his four-year career with the New York Giants. In 2020, he amassed 49 total tackles (eight for a loss), four batted passes and 3.5 sacks. He also earned a 75.1 PFF grade.
If the Jaguars don’t want to break the bank on a defensive tackle in free agency, they could target Lawerence Guy or even Kawann Short, who was recently released. However, Tomlinson will arguably be the best one in the open market and his presence would immediately give Jacksonville’s defensive line a boost.