The Jacksonville Jaguars had
when choosing which player would be part of their 53-man roster. However, they could keep making changes before the start of the 2021 NFL regular season.
After announcing the final roster, head coach Urban Meyer had a sitdown with the local media. When asked about taking a dive in the waiver wire for help, he said the team had started to look around. The Jaguars put their top waiver priority, to good use and claimed former Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Tyron Johnson.
Also, the Jaguars can sign players with more than four accrued seasons at any time. They still have $31.67 million in cap space, so money won’t be an issue if they want to sign someone. Here are four free agents that were recently released that the Jags could sign after roster cutdown day.
Jacksonville Jaguars free-agent target No. 1 – OL Matt Skura
The Jaguars have a solid interior offensive line. However, left guard Andrew Norwell, center Brandon Linder, and right guard A.J. Cann have missed time in the preseason. Thus, the team’s brass should look to add depth.
The Miami Dolphins signed center Matt Skura this offseason but released him in the final round of roster cuts. The Duke product has appeared in 54 games with 51 starts. Although he has had issues with his snaps, signing him would be a smart depth move. The Jaguars could even move him to guard if necessary.
Skura signed as an undrafted free agent with the Baltimore Ravens in 2016. He posted a Pro Football Focus overall grade of 49.1 in 2020, which isn’t great. However, he earned a 68.7 grade the season before.
Jacksonville Jaguars free-agent target No. 2 – RB Ammer Abdulla
The Jaguars have a solid running back room ahead of the 2021 NFL season despite the fact that rookie Travis Etienne is out for the year with a Lisfranc injury. They have a three-down back in James Robinson. They also have a dependable backup in veteran Carlos Hyde, who posted a 1,000-yard season as recently as 2019. Dare Ogunbowale also start started two games last season when Robinson went down with an ankle injury. However, the team’s brass could still add reinforcements.
The Minnesota Vikings released Ameer Abdullah in the last round of roster cuts. This was a bit surprising, as they re-signed him in the offseason. With All-Pro Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison at the top of the depth chart, there was no longer a need for the 2015 second-round pick in Minneapolis. The Vikes claimed Abdullah off of waivers after being let go by the Detroit Lions in the 2018 season.
The Nebraska product appeared in 39 games in Minnesota, racking up 31 carries for 157 yards. He also contributed in the passing game, hauling in 24 receptions for 156 yards and three touchdowns. Over his six-year career, he’s caught 81 passes for 576 yards and six touchdowns. He has been used sparingly in the running game, so he has plenty of tread left on the tires.
Devonta Freeman and Todd Gurley, who are also available, have a bigger profile but Abdullah is arguably the best running back in the free-agent market right now.
Jacksonville Jaguars free-agent target No. 3 – DB Ha Ha Clinton-Dix
The Jaguars moved on from veteran safety Jarrod Wilson and traded cornerback Sidney Jones to the Seattle Seahawks. If the team’s brass is interested in adding depth to their secondary, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix may be the best option in the open market. As of this writing, he may join the 49ers’ practice squad but it’s not a done deal yet.
The 21st overall pick in the 2014 draft signed with the San Francisco 49ers this offseason but was part of their last round of cuts. Clinton-Dix hasn’t played in a regular-season game since 2019. He signed with the Dallas Cowboys last year but was released before Week 1 of the regular season. However, the Jaguars, under Urban Meyer, have shown a willingness to give former first-round picks a shot.
The Alabama product has spent time with the Green Bay Packers, the Washington Football Team, and the Chicago Bears. Although he has never lived up to his draft billing, he wouldn’t be a solid depth addition. From 2014 to 2019, Clinton-Hix appeared in 96 games with 90 starts and logged 522 total tackles, four forced fumbles, and 16 interceptions. He showed he still has gas in the tank when he intercepted Las Vegas Raiders quarterback in Week 3 of the preseason. The play went viral because of 49ers announcer Greg Papa’s commentary. Here it is, in case you haven’t listen to it.
Jacksonville Jaguars free-agent target No. 4 – TE Jacob Hollister
The Jaguars need help at tight end. Veteran James O’Shaughnessy is one of the team’s most improved players, according to head coach Urban Meyer. Chris Manhertz will also see plenty of time on short-yardage and red-zone situations but could use a boost at the position. Especially after releasing Ben Ellefson and Tyler Davis in the last round of cuts.
The waiver wire didn’t have many enticing tight-end options but teams can sign free agent Jacob Hollister at any moment. The Wyoming products signed with the Buffalo Bills earlier this year after spending the 2019 season with the Seattle Seahawks but was released in the final cutdown.
Hollister was productive in his lone season with the Hawks, hauling in 25 receptions for 209 yards and three touchdowns. However, the Bills believe Dawson Knox is a better fit. Also, they want to see what they have in third-year tight end Tommy Sweeney, who missed the 2020 season with a heart condition.
The Jaguars could also explore the possibility of trading for a tight end. Dallas Goedert of the Philadelphia Eagles may be available. Keep in mind that they only have three tight ends on the 53-man roster and don’t have any in the practice squad. If the team’s brass isn’t interested in Goedert or any other tight end, Hollister is the best option.