The Jacksonville Jaguars will have their work cut out next offseason. Firing Urban Meyer was an important step in the right direction but that’s only one of many items on their to-do list. Next, the Jags will need to hire his replacement and Trent Baalke, or whoever their general manager is in 2022, will need to fortify the roster in the offseason. Fortunately, they will have more than enough resources to add more than a few playmakers.
The Jaguars are trending towards clinching the first overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft after losing to the Houston Texans in Week 15. They will be in a position to select the best player available as they are also set to have $71 million in cap space, the third-highest amount in the NFL, according to Spotrac.
If the Jaguars use the top pick in Aidan Hutchinson or Kaivon Thibodeaux, they can then use their abundance of cap space in any of the following players.
Jaguars superstar free-agent target No. 1 in 2022 – Brandon Scherff, OG
The Jaguars’ offensive line could look very different in 2022, as left guard Andrew Norwell, right guard A.J. Cann, and left tackle Cam Robinson are slated to become free agents. While it makes sense to re-sign Norwell, the right guard position is in need of a boost. The team’s brass can let Cann walk in free agency and they can sign Brandon Scherff to take his place in the starting lineup.
A first-round selection in 2015, Scherff has spent his entire NFL career with the Washington Football Team. He’s played on the franchise tag the last two years but he’s unlikely to get the third one, as the price will skyrocket. The Iowa product is one of the best guards in the league and would immediately improve the Jaguars’ protection up front.
The only thing that has kept Scherff from being an elite guard is that he’s missed 20 games over the last four seasons, so the Jaguars would need to be ok knowing he might miss time if they sign him.
Jaguars superstar free-agent target No. 2 – Mike Gesicki, TE.
The Jaguars have a potential franchise quarterback in Trevor Lawrence. Now, they need to get him some weapons on offense. Bolstering the wide receiver corps should be their top priority but they can’t neglect their tight end room for the second consecutive year. This past offseason, they signed Chris Manhertz but the veteran isn’t a deep threat and is better suited for blocking duties in short-yardage and goal-line situations.
The Jaguars later signed Jacob Hollister before the start of the season and traded for Dan Arnold. However, they need a true number one tight end that can stretch the field and there might not better be anyone better than Mike Gesicki in 2022. The Penn State product has posted solid numbers over the last three years in spite of the Miami Dolphins’ less-than-ideal quarterback situation in that span.
Since 2019, Gesicki has caught at least 51 receptions each year and has averaged 11.7 yards per reception, and has found the end zone 13 times. This season, he’s hauled in 59 receptions for 642 years and two touchdowns. That’s as many receptions and touchdowns as all the Jaguars’ tight ends combined.
Former Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer said they wanted Arnold this past free agency but couldn’t “fit him in”. That’s a roundabout way to say they didn’t want to spend on the position. The Jags can’t afford to cut corners again and pass up the chance to sign Gesicki next offseason. They will have more than enough cap space to make it work.
Jaguars superstar free-agent target No. 3 – Marcus Williams, S.
Had Marcus Williams hit the open market in 2021, he would have been one of the most coveted players in free agency. The New Orleans Saints knew they couldn’t let him walk and slapped him with the franchise tag. The 2017 second-round pick is set to once again be a free agent next offseason and if he’s available, the Jaguars need to pursue him.
Williams is once again playing at a high level this season, logging 64 total tackles, 19 tackles for a loss, eight passes defensed, one forced fumble, and two interceptions. Moreover, he’s posted a Pro Football Focus grade of 83.3. The safety would be a great addition to a Jaguars secondary that hasn’t made many big plays in 2021.
Now, you could make the case Williams could be an unnecessary luxury. After all, the Jags have a young Andre Cisco waiting in the wings and the front office just signed Rayshawn Jenkins this offseason.
Williams is better than Jenkins and it releasing the latter would create $13 million in dead cap, so it’s not an option. The coaching staff would need to find a way to get the three on the field, which may be a tad difficult to do. Then again, it’s not often that you have the chance to acquire players of Williams’ caliber, and the Jags can surely find a way to make it work out.
Jaguars superstar free-agent target No. 4 – Terron Armstead, LT.
Left tackle Cam Robinson isn’t bad but he isn’t great either and he’s set to become a free agent after playing the 2021 season on the franchise tag. If the Jaguars prefer to prioritize other positions, they could very well bring back Robinson at the right price. Then again, he may want to rightfully get top market money. Do you blame him though? Left tackles are a price commodity in the NFL and wants are willing to pay retail for them.
On the other hand, if the Jaguars are going to pay a premium for a left tackle, they might as well sign Terron Armstead in free agency. The three-time Pro Bowl nod has posted a Pro Football Focus grade of 75.0 or higher every year since 2014. He’s currently 30 years old but has plenty of gas left in the tank. He’s missed five games this season and has dealt with injuries throughout his career. Nevertheless, he would be an upgrade over Robinson.
Also, signing Armstead would allow the coaching staff to kick offensive tackle Walker Little to the right side, where Jawaan Taylor has struggled in 2021. The Florida product will be in the last year of his rookie deal in 2022 and the Jaguars need to see what kind of resources they need to pour in the right tackle position.
The Jaguars need to give Trevor Lawrence weapons next offseason but they also need to make sure he has optimal protection upfront. Signing Armstead would certainly achieve that purpose.
Jaguars superstar free-agent target No. 5 – Chris Godwin, WR.
Saying the Jaguars’ offense is bad is an understatement, as the unit has scored more than ten points in a game just twice in the last eight games. Losing DJ Chark Jr. for the season hurt but the team’s offensive woes go beyond one player. The Jags’ wide receiver can’t create separation, wrong the wrong routes and drop catches they’re supposed to make.
Trevor Lawrence hasn’t been perfect but he hasn’t gotten help from his wide receivers. That’s why the front office must bolster the group next offseason. Re-signing Chark would be a solid move but they can’t stop there and need to pursue Chris Godwin. The 2017 third-round pick also got the franchise tag this past offseason and is set to become a free agent once again in 2022.
Over the last four seasons, Godwin has hauled in 302 receptions for 4,069 yards and 28 eight touchdowns. He’s established himself as the number one weapon in a Bucs’ offense that is filled with difference-makers such as fellow wide receiver Mike Evans, Antonio Brown, tight end Rob Gronkowski. Tampa will try to look for a way to retain Godwin but if he hits the open market, he should be the Jaguars’ free-agent target.
Byron Leftwich reportedly has a “ton of groundswell of support” to become the Jaguars’ next head coach. If he gets the job, he will likely bring Godwin with him. Leftwich could quickly fix Jacksonville’s offense with the 2019 Pro Bowl selection lining up opposite Chark.