Should Jacksonville Jaguars sign or pass up LB Denzel Perryman in free agency?
The Jacksonville Jaguars had a hard time stopping other teams from running the ball in 2020 and fixing their run defense should be a priority this offseason. They will have their fair share of options in free agency, including linebacker Denzel Perryman.
Perryman, who is scheduled to become a free agent, plans to explore the open market, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Media. He doesn’t rule out a return to the Los Angeles Chargers but wants to explore his options before making a decision.
A second-round selection in 2015, Perryman has spent his six-year career with the Chargers. Although he doesn’t have the impact or name recognition defensive ends Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram enjoy, he’s been a key cog on their defense. He’s appeared in 69 games, with 51 starts, and has registered 349 total tackles 26 (for a loss), five three forced fumbles, six passes defensed, and three interceptions.
What would the Jacksonville Jaguars be getting in Denzel Perryman?
The Jaguars’ defense ranked 29th in rushing touchdowns allowed and 30th in total yards. In the last seven games of the 2020 season, they gave up an average of 181 yards per game and allowed opposing teams to control the tempo of the game, so they need to look for a way to fix that this offseason and Perryman could be of help.
Perryman is a dominant run stopper and has a penchant for laying devasting hits on opposing ball carries. On the other hand, he isn’t nearly as good against the pass and needs to get off the field on obvious pass situations, which limits his value as a defender. Moreover, he hasn’t played a full season in the NFL and has never appeared in more than 45 percent of the Chargers’ total snaps on defense.
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In 2019, he signed a two-year $12 million contract to stay in Los Angeles but it’s unlikely he will get that amount this time around. While he won’t get the veteran’s minimum, teams would be hard-pressed to pay market value for his services. The fact he isn’t proficient in pass coverage will decrease his value and the Jaguars should only pursue him if he’s still available in the second wave of free agency, as there will be other more complete and talented linebackers in the open market.