More often than not, it takes time for an NFL team to know whether a draft pick or a free-agent will pan out. Nevertheless, it’s never too early to grade the Jacksonville Jaguars’ most recent free-agency signings.
Heading into free agency, the Jaguars needed to add talent to pretty much every position on their roster with the exception of the quarterback position and that’s because they’ll most likely use the first overall selection in the 2021 NFL Draft to take Trevor Lawrence, who is arguably the most talented quarterback prospects in recent years.
Although the Jags made just a few signings on the first day of the legal tampering period (two days before free agency actually started), they switched gears on Day 2 and went on to grab what seemed like every single player available in the open market with the exception of a big-name tight end.
Even though nobody will be able to really measure the impact of the Jaguars’ most recent additions until the regular season starts, their roster looks significantly different (at least on paper) and was ranked as one of the most improved in the league after free agency. A few days before the process, head coach Urban Meyer said that the team wanted to solidify the defensive line and the secondary, and judging by the players they signed, it seems like the team’s brass accomplished their objective.
Nevertheless, the Jags still have plenty of work left to do. After all, they will need as much help as they can if they want to get out of the NFL’s cellar. On the bright side, this Jacksonville team can keep adding talent in 2021’s draft. In the meantime, here are the winners and losers of free agency.
Jaguars free agency winner: Cornerbacks coach Tim Walton
Tim Walton must’ve been delighted when the Jaguars hired him as their cornerback coach in 2019, as he had the chance to work with All-Pro Jalen Ramsey… until the team decided to trade him in the middle of the season to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for two first-round selections.
Since then, Walton made chicken salad with what he’s got and has made the most out of it. D.J. Hayden had his best season as a pro in 2019, when he allowed no touchdowns and a 76.1 passer rating. In 2020, former Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Sidney Jones had a career revival in Jacksonville and quickly become a key contributor in their secondary before an Achilles injury cut his season short.
Although the Jaguars secondary showed flashes early in the 2020 season, injuries struck the unit, and players such as rookies Luq Barcoo and Josiah Scott were forced into the field, as the team ran out of healthy cornerbacks. It didn’t matter though, Walton had them ready. The results weren’t necessarily good but his work didn’t go unnoticed and head coach Urban Meyer decided to retain him as part of his coaching staff.
The Jaguars brought back Jones and restricted free agent Tre Herndon. Moreover, they signed former Seattle Seahawks cornerback Shaquil Griffin to a three-year $44.5 million deal. Add sophomore C.J. Henderson and Walton will have his hands full in 2021. Don’t be surprised if we see his best work yet this upcoming season.
Jaguars free agency winner: Running back James Robinson
Although the Jaguars played competitive football at times in 2020, they struggled to keep up with opposing teams more often than not and had a hard time putting points on the scoreboard. While the lack of consistency at the quarterback position played a role in the Jags’ inability to move the ball downfield, their offensive line didn’t help matters, especially offensive tackles Cam Robinson and Jawaan Taylor.
It didn’t matter though, as rookie James Robinson, one of the Jaguars’ few bright spots last season, quickly established himself as one of the best running backs in the NFL. Even though opposing defenses knew the Illinois State product would get the ball, he still managed to average 4.5 yards per carry and tally 1,070 yards and seven trips to the endzone on 240 carries. Moreover, he finished the 2020 season with 1,414 scrimmage yards, the most by an undrafted rookie in NFL history.
On the other hand, Robinson missed the last two games of the season and Jaguars’ running game took a hit. Even though Urban Meyer wants to build the running back room around the sophomore, he also knew they needed to manage their workload, so they signed Carlos Hyde to a two-year contract.
Although Hyde isn’t an All-Pro, the Jaguars’ running game won’t see a drop in production in case Robinson needs to catch his breath or even miss a few games. Also, Robinson should be able to stay fresh, which would likely increase his production.
Jaguars free agency winner: Quarterback Trevor Lawrence
Runner up: Left tackle Cam Robinson
This spot could’ve gone to left tackle Cam Robinson, who got slapped with the franchise tag and will earn a little bit under $14 million in 2021 because of it. A player is worth what a team is willing to pay them and it’s nice to see the Alabama product get a big payday in a business that heavily favors management. However, Trevor Lawrence takes this place and is one of the Jaguars’ free agency winners.
Even though it’s not 100 percent certain the Jags will use the first overall selection on the Clemson standout, all signs point in that direction. Head coach Urban Meyer recently gave a glowing review of Lawrence on NFL Media’s Good Morning Football and said he checks a lot of boxes. He went on to praise his intelligence, his toughness, and how competitive he is.
The Jaguars’ brass knows that if they want their franchise quarterback to succeed, they need to surround him with as much talent as they can and give him as many weapons as possible, so they went into free agency looking for as many playmakers as they could.
Besides giving their defense a meaningful makeover, they also added Marvin Jones Jr. to an already talented wide receiver corps and brought in key depth pieces such as Carlos Hyde, wide receiver Phillip Dorsett, and tight end Chris Manhertz. Based on the Jaguars free-agency additions, there’s little doubt they want to put Lawrence in a position to succeed.
Jaguars free agency loser: Defensive tackle Taven Bryan
Defensive tackle Taven Bryan has been one of the most disappointing first-round picks in recent Jaguars history. At the time of his selection, Jacksonville was coming off a loss to the New England Patriots in 2017’s AFC Championship. The Jags already had one of the most formidable defenses in the NFL and it looked like the Florida standout would be the cherry on the top.
Nevertheless, Bryan hasn’t been the player the Jaguars thought and has been a non-factor throughout his three-year career in the NFL, having appeared in 48 games with 17 starts and logging 71 total tackles (11 for a loss) and a paltry 3.5 sacks in that span. It’s fair to say the defensive tackle hasn’t fulfilled the team’s expectations and has become an afterthought in their long-term plans after signing Roy Robertson-Harris, bringing back Tyson Alualu, and trading for Malcom Brown.
Although Bryan may have one last chance to prove he’s the player the Jaguars envisioned him to be when they made him the 29th overall selection in 2018’s draft, he will have a hard time making an impact behind all the players Jacksonville added in free agency. This could ultimately serve as a wake-up call for Bryan, but the odds are stacked against him and might be at risk of being cut this offseason. Don’t be surprised if the Jaguars move on from him during the preseason or even before that, as it looks like his replacements are already in place.
Jaguars free agency loser: Collin Johnson
Wide receiver Collin Johnson made the most of his chances when he stepped on the field last year. As a rookie, he appeared in 14 games and hauled in 18 receptions for 272 yards and two touchdowns. Moreover, his 73.4 Pro Football Focus grade was the highest among Jaguars’ wide receivers in 2020.
Nevertheless, he will have a hard time making an impact and even be buried on the depth chart after the Jaguars added Marvin Jones Jr., Phillip Dorsett, and Jamal Agnew in free agency. The Jaguars’ wide receiver corps definitely looks better after free agency but Johnson will have to compete with Dorsett for the number-four wide receiver spot. As Sigmund Bloom of Footballguys recently said, “the Collin johnson express will have to go back in the barn for a year or two”.
Jaguars free agency loser: Tight ends coach Tyler Bowen
The Jaguars either added depth or a playmaker to most position groups in free agency. However, the tight end room didn’t see as many upgrades as other positions recently got. Sure, Chris Manhertz is a superb blocker and will be key in red-zone and short-yardage situations.
However, the Jags pass up the opportunity to sign Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry in free agency, so tight ends coach Tyler Bowen won’t have much to work with. The team re-signed James O’Shaughnessy but it seems like they won’t make any other meaningful additions to their tight end room in free agency.
On the bright side, Bowen was Penn State’s co-offensive coordinator in 2020 and has first-hand knowledge of tight end prospect Pat Freiermuth. If the Jaguars wanted to take Kyle Pitt’s in 2021’s draft, they would have to trade up but they will have a good chance to land Freiermuth with the 25th or the 33rd pick in this year’s selection meeting. For the time being, Bowen will have to get creative.