Once the Jacksonville Jaguars fill their head coaching vacancy, they will need to turn their attention to upgrading a roster that is in need of an infusion of talent. While the Jags’ have a few building blocks, they will need more playmakers if they want to win more than three games, their 2021 total.
Fortunately for the Jaguars, they will have more than enough resources to make some meaningful moves this offseason. Besides holding the first overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, they will have around $60 million in cap space (give or take), per Over The Cap. While that is more than enough to make a few splash signings in free agency, the front office can release a few veteran players to get even more space.
Here are four veterans the Jags can release before the 2022 free agency period starts.
No. 1 veteran the Jaguars should release – Chris Manhertz, TE.
Cap hit in 2022 – $4.025 million. Dead money if released – $2.125 million. Total cap savings – $1.9 million.
Tight end was one of the Jaguars’ biggest needs last offseason, so it wasn’t shocking to see them pour so many resources into the position. One of their additions was Chris Manhertz, who signed a two-year, $6.65 million contract last offseason.
Players are worth what teams are willing to fork over for them but you could make a strong case the Jags overpaid for Manhertz’s services. The Canisius product carved a niche as a blocking specialist but doesn’t add much to the passing game. Last season, he appeared in all 17 games with 10 starts and hauled in six receptions for 71 yards and one touchdown. This shouldn’t have come as a surprise as he had caught a total of 12 passes the previous five years. Expecting him to contribute in the passing game might have been too much.
If the Jaguars don’t re-sign James O’Shaughnessy, they may opt to keep Manhertz around but as the main backup behind Dan Arnold. However, they could also release him and open up almost $2 million in cap space, which could come in handy if they bring in another tight end like Dalton Schultz in free agency.
No. 2 veteran the Jaguars should release – Jawaan Taylor, RT.
Cap hit in 2022 – $2.495 million. Dead money if released – $931, 077. Total cap savings – $1.564 million.
Last offseason, Jaguars offensive line coach George Warhop heaped praise on left tackle Cam Robinson and right tackle Jawaan Taylor. While Warhop noted that both players had to polish certain areas of their game, he also acknowledged that they had made strides.
Robinson went on to have arguably his best season in the NFL, giving up just one sack and posting a Pro Football Focus overall grade of 67.3, a career-best. On the other hand, Taylor struggled and didn’t show much improvement throughout the year, logging12 penalties and giving up six sacks.
The Jaguars may or may not re-sign Robinson but they will have options when it comes to both offensive tackle positions. They could bring Robinson back and kick Walker Little to the right side. Another alternative is to move on from Robinson, leave Little at left tackle, draft Evan Neal and plug him in at right tackle. In all these scenarios, Taylor becomes expendable. The former Florida Gator is entering the last year of his rookie deal and hasn’t shown enough growth to consider him part of the team’s long-term plans.
Even though the Jags could keep Taylor as a back, releasing him would open up $1.5 million in cap space and pave the way for either Little or Neal to start at right tackle.
No. 3 veteran the Jaguars should release – Carlos Hyde, RB.
Cap hit in 2022 – $2.45 million. Dead money if released – $450,000. Total cap savings – $2.0 million.
At the time, the signing of running back Carlos Hyde didn’t seem particularly bad. The Jaguars needed someone to back up James Robinson, who was coming off a historic rookie campaign but had also missed the last two games of the season with an ankle injury.
Hyde’s connection to the Jags was clear. He had previously played for head coach Urban Meyer at Ohio State and general manager Trent Baalke drafted him in 2014 back when he held the same job for the San Francisco 49ers. The former Buckeye was a serviceable running back throughout his NFL career, racking up 1,153 carries for 4,726 yards with 36 touchdowns from 2014 to 2020.
Keep in mind that this wasn’t Hyde’s first rodeo in Jacksonville. He had previously played for the Black and Teal in 2017 but had a minimal impact, toting the rock 58 times for 189 yards and no touchdowns. His second go-round wasn’t much better, tallying 72 carries for 253 yards and one touchdown. Also, the 2014 second-round pick was indirectly a reason for controversy, as Meyer wanted to give him meaningful playing time despite the fact that Robinson was the better and more complete running back.
The Jags are going to need some kind of insurance with Robinson and Travis Etienne recovering from injuries but Hyde doesn’t bring much to the table and the front office can find a cheaper alternative with more upside in this year’s draft.
No. 4 veteran the Jaguars should release – Brandon Linder, C.
Cap hit in 2022 – $10 million. Dead money if released – None. Total cap savings – $10 million.
There’s no doubt Brandon Linder is one of the best centers in the NFL and one of the Jaguars’ cornerstone players since being selected in the third round of the 2014 NFL Draft. He was voted team captain by his teammates last year and is the kind of veteran voice every locker room needs.
The only reason Linder doesn’t more attention from the national media — besides playing for the Jags — is all the time he hasn’t suited up because of injuries. The former Miami Hurricane has only participated in a full season once in his career and has missed 41 games over his eight-year career. In a game where availability is the most important ability, the veteran center hasn’t been very durable.
In fact, the Jags have had to lean on Tyler Shatley, the primary interior offensive line back, more than they should and has made as many starts as Linder in the last two seasons. Shatley is set to become a free agent but the team’s brass may be better off bringing him back, as they are one injury away from needing him once again.
On the other hand, the Jags need to decide what they will do with Linder. He’s entering the last year of his contract and the team would free up $10 million in cap space with no money if they release him. An alternative path is to find a compromise: Reduce his salary and fully guarantee it.