After finishing the 2021 season on a strong note, the Jacksonville Jaguars can now turn their attention to the offseason and their search for their next head coach. Although Jags already met with several potential candidates, it will be a couple of weeks before they wrap up the process.
On Friday, the Jaguars met with Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore via Zoom. After a productive career at Boise State, Moore signed with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent in 2012 and went on to spend three years in their practice squad. He then joined the Cowboys in 2015 and appeared in three games with two starts that year. He suffered a season-ending injury the following year and called it quits in 2017.
Once Moore hung up the cleats, he joined Big D’s coaching staff and quickly moved up the ranks. He’s spent the last three seasons as their offensive coordinator and is one of the hottest names in this hiring cycle. The Cowboys had the top-ranked offense in 2021 and Moore he’s a big reason why. If he ends up getting a head coaching job, he could bring some players he’s worked with in Dallas. In particular, these four pending free agents could follow him to Jacksonville if he fills the vacancy left by Urban Meyer.
No. 1 Cowboy that could follow Moore to the Jaguars – Leighton Vander Esch
Linebacker Damien Wilson is set to be a free agent and if the Jaguars don’t bring him back, they could sign Leighton Vander Esch to play alongside Myles Jack. A first-round selection in the 2018 NFL Draft, Vander Esch played in all 17 games in 2021, which is noteworthy when you take into account that he suffered a neck injury in 2019 and a clavicle fracture in 2020.
The Boise State product logged 77 total tackles, 48 tackles for a loss, two passes defensed, and one interception, which came in Week 18 against the Philadelphia Eagles, during the 2021 regular season. After showing no lingering issues from the injuries he’s previously suffered, the linebacker should have plenty of suitors in the offseason.
No. 2 Cowboy that could follow Moore to the Jaguars – Connor Williams
One of the top items on the Jaguars’ offseason list will be to fortify their offensive line. While it’s uncertain what their plan at left tackle will be, they also need to address the interior of the unit. Right guard A.J. Cann, left guard Andrew Norwell and top backup Tyler Shatley are all set to hit the open market.
While the Jaguars could re-sign Norwell and leave Ben Bart at right guard, they could also lock up Connor Willaims in free agency. The Cowboys are set to have 24 free agents in 2022 and they may not be able to keep all of them due to the limited amount of cap space (approximately $12 million) they will be working with. Williams is one of those players they may not be able to retain and should have a robust market for his services if he hits the open market.
A second-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, Williams has gone on to appear in every game these past two seasons after tearing his ACL in 2019. This past preseason, he got snaps at center, showing the flexibility to line up at several spots in the offensive line. His Pro Football Focus grades have gotten better each year, posting a career-high 76.8 in 2021.
Williams will be one of the top guards in the open market and Spotrac projects him to sign a four-year contract worth $53. 8 million ($13.2 million average per year) in 2022. That amount should easily fit within the Jaguars’ offseason budget.
No. 3 Cowboy that could follow Moore to the Jaguars – Cedrick Wilson
Michael Gallup was poised to be one of the top wide receivers in free agency but his market might cool down considerably after tearing his ACL in Week 17 of the 2021 season. Since it’s uncertain whether he’ll be ready to go in 2022, he may be better off returning to Dallas on a one-year, prove-it deal.
Having said that, there’s another Cowboys receiver the Jaguars could target in the offseason: Cedrick Wilson. A sixth-round selection in the 2018 NFL Draft, the Boise State product was the fourth or fifth option on Dallas’ offense this season but stepped up anytime he was called upon.
After missing his rookie season and playing only six games in 2019, the Boise State product worked his way up the depth chart and has seen his playing time increase over the last two seasons. In 2021, he appeared in 44 percent of the Cowboys’ snaps and went on to haul in a career-high 45 receptions for 602 yards and six touchdowns.
Wilson filled in nicely for Gallup in the regular in 2021 and caught five receptions for 119 yards with two touchdowns in the season finale against the Eagles. Spotrac foresees him signing a three-year, $18.4 million in free agency, which is not bad for a player that may not have reached his ceiling yet. Even if the Jaguars opt to re-sign DJ Chark Jr. (they should), they still need to add another wide receiver this upcoming offseason and Wilson may be one of the best ones available in free agency.
No. 4 Cowboy that could follow Moore to the Jaguars-Dalton Schultz
Wide receiver isn’t the only position the Jaguars need to upgrade in the offseason. Their tight end room could also use a facelift. James O’Shaughnessy and Jacob Hollister are set to become free agents. Chris Manhertz is better suited for blocking duties and Luke Farrell is a role player at this stage of his young career. Dan Arnold, who joined the team after Week 3, is the best of the bunch but Jacksonville should consider adding competition to the unit
Dalton Schultz will arguably be the best tight end available in free agency and the Jags shouldn’t hesitate to place a bid on him. After catching a combined 13 catches for 122 yards in his first two NFL seasons, the former Stanford Cardinal has hauled in 141 receptions for 1,423 yards with 12 touchdowns over the last two.
You could argue that the Jags already poured many resources in their tight end group but none of the players who are currently on their roster than Schultz. While he might not come cheap, the Jags need to surround Trevor Lawrence with more weapons in 2022 if they want to put him in a position to succeed.
Spotrac expects Schultz to sign a four-year contract worth $50.7 million in free agency. Based on his production in the last two seasons, he will be worth the investment. The 2018 fourth-round pick isn’t in the same echelon as Darren Waller or Travis Kelce but he could be a productive player on the Jaguars’ offense.