Jacksonville Jaguars: Grading defensive free agent additions

The Jacksonville Jaguars beefed up their defensive line in free agency.

The Jaguars didn’t target a premier defensive tackle in free agency but ended up trading a seventh-round selection for Malcom Brown. As recently as last week, the New Orleans Saints intended to release the former first-round selection after being unable to find a trade partner. However, Jacksonville came calling.

Brown, the 32nd overall selection in 2015’s draft, signed a three-year $19 million contract with the Saints in 2019. Over his two-year stint in New Orleans, he started 29 games and registered 61 total tackles (nine for a loss), and three sacks. Keep in mind that the Saints moved on from him because they needed cap relief and would’ve kept him if they had had enough space.

In the end, the Jags benefited from New Orlean’s cap woes. Brown should have a big role in their defensive line rotation and may even be part of the starting lineup in the season opener.

Grade: B

Malcom Brown wasn’t the only addition the Jaguars made to their defensive front. Before trading for the Texas standout, they signed former Chicago Bears defensive end Roy Robertson-Harris. DaVon Hamilton and Doug Costin showed promise during the 2020 season but the Jaguars’ front four was often pushed around last season. The pair should continue to be part of the defensive line rotation but Robertson-Harris will most likely get a prominent role.

In a recent sit-down with the local media, Robertson-Harris says he will do everything he can to help the Jaguars win after everything they did to bring him in. While expecting the defensive end to register ten sacks may be unreasonable, his presence will definitely bolster a unit that struggled to get to opposing quarterbacks last season.

Grade: B