Jacksonville Jaguars: Grading defensive free agent additions

After a slow start to free agency, the Jacksonville Jaguars held no punches and took advantage of the vast amount of cap space they had at their disposal in 2021. While they passed up the chance to make a few splash signings, they still were able to land a handful of playmakers throughout the process and were even named one of the most improved teams after free agency.

Heading into free agency, head coach Urban Meyer said that the Jags would prioritize solidifying the defensive front and revamping the secondary. It’s fair to say they achieved their goal and they did so without having to break the bank, something general manager Trent Baalke put an emphasis on.

Even though Jacksonville didn’t sign big-name free agents such as defensive tackle Delvin Tomilson or defensive ends Trey Hendrickson or Romeo Okwara, they still were able to bolster their defensive line.

Players such as defensive end Roy Robertson-Harris, defensive end Jahid Ward, and Tyson Alualu, who is back with the team, should give the Jaguars’ defensive line an immediate boost. Their secondary looks in better shape too after signing cornerback Shaquill Griffin and safety Rayshawn Jenkins.

On the other hand, the Jaguars must keep adding talent in this year’s draft. As important as their free-additions are, it will take plenty of work to upgrade a unit that ranked 31st in points allowed and total yards last season. They could use another pass rusher, someone to round out their linebacker corps, and another safety. In the meantime, here are the grades for all their free-agent additions to the defensive side of the ball.