Jacksonville Jaguars: Grading offensive free agency additions

The Jacksonville Jaguars got a blocking tight end in Chris Manhertz.

A blocking tight end won’t kickstart a parade in Duval, but Chris Manhertz is an important addition to the Jaguars’ roster nonetheless. Although Jacksonville brought back James O’Shaughnessy, they also signed Manhertz to a two-year $7.25 million contract.

Having never played football before graduating from college, Manhertz signed a future/reserve contract with the Buffalo Bills in 2015. He was later waived and claimed by the New Orleans Saints before joining the Carolina Panthers in the middle of the 2016 season.

The veteran tight end has hauled just 12 receptions for 142 yards and one touchdown in his career, so don’t expect him to contribute much as a receiver in the Jaguars’ offense. However, he should be an asset in red-zone situations and short-distance downs.

Grade: B

Head coach Urban Meyer wants to build the Jags’ running back room around sophomore James Robinson but they also knew that they needed to get him a good backup, so they signed Carlos Hyde to a two-year $6 million deal in free agency.

General manager Trent Baalke drafted Hyde back with the San Francisco 49ers and he also played for Meyer at Ohio State, so the team’s familiarity with the running back certainly played a role in his acquisition. Over his seven-year career, the Florida native has appeared in 90 games with 58 starts and has racked up 1,1153 yards for 4,726 yards and 36 touchdowns.

Hyde spent a part of the 2018 season in Jacksonville and is now back to serve as Robinson’s backup. Considering his contract averages $3 million per year, the Jaguars signed a solid backup at an affordable rate.

Grade: B