Signing Harold Landry would upgrade Jaguars’ D, weaken division rival

The Jacksonville Jaguars need to bolster their pass rush this offseason and using the first overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft on either Aidan Hutchinson or Kayvon Thibodeaux seems like the best way to do it so. However, signing defensive end Harold Landry in free agency is another option, one that would weaken the Tennessee Titans in the process.

Ben Rolfe of Pro Football Network recently compiled a list of potential landing spots for Handry and Jacksonville was among those potential destinations. Rolfe notes that outside linebackers Josh Allen and Dawuane Smoot are a talented duo but that they are scheduled to become free agents over the next to years. He then adds that the several Jaguars’ defensive linemen are set to hit the open maker, so they will be most likely left with a short-term need to fill. He believes that Landry would be a good fit if they don’t change defensive schemes.

"That leaves the Jaguars with a need to fill in terms of pass rushers this offseason. They may decide to prioritize re-signing Allen instead of looking externally. An additional element for the fit of Landry in Jacksonville depends on who they hire as a head coach. As we discussed with the Dolphins, if they transition to a 4-3 defense under a new head coach, then Landry would not be as good of a fit for them."

A second-round selection by Tennessee in 2018, Landry had a breakout year in 2021, logging 74 total tackles, 14 tackles for a loss, 12 sacks, and one forced fumble. Although the Titans lost to the Cincinnati Bengals in the divisional round of the 2021 NFL playoffs, Harold posted six total tackles and 1.5 sacks and played a role in relentlessly pressuring quarterback Joe Burrow throughout most of the game.

The Jaguars need to make Harold Landry a priority signing in 2022.

Spotrac projects that Landry will get a four-year deal worth $68.4 million this offseason. While that seems like a steep price to pay for the outside linebacker, it’s one the Jaguars can afford, as they are set to have around $60 million in cap space this offseason. Meanwhile, the Titans may have trouble re-signing him, as they’re slated to have around $10 million in cap room.

Signing Landry would weaken the Titans at the same time the Jags would give Josh Allen a pass-rush mate. Having said that, pursuing Landry only makes sense if Jacksonville isn’t interested in drafting Hutchinson or Thibodeaux and is planning on targeting someone like Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal with the top pick.

Also, devoting so much cap room to one player would limit the Jags’ ability to address other position groups this offseason, especially those that are in that could use significant upgrades, such as wide receiver. Sure, Landry deserves and should get a top-market contract but the front office needs to set a budget for the offseason in order to fill as many needs as possible.

The Jaguars’ defense showed flashes of dominant play throughout the 2021 season and Landry could help them become one of the best units in the league next season. All in all, he will be the best option in the free-agent market if Jacksonville wants to allocate their draft picks to other areas of the roster.