It’s been two days since the Jacksonville Jaguars were close to wrapping up their head-coaching search but for some reason or another, they haven’t been able to seal the deal. Hopefully, they will have hired someone (most likely Byron Leftwich) by the time you’re reading this article.
The Jags need to get their coaching search done as soon as possible because they need to turn their attention to revamping their roster. While their offense needs the most attention, they can’t neglect their defense. After all, defensive coordinator Joe Cullen’s unit had some dominant performances but they also finished the year 28th in points allowed and gave up 100 rushing yards or more in all but two games in the second half of the 2021 season.
If the Jaguars hire Leftwich, Adrian Wilson will most likely become their general manager but there’s a chance Trent Baalke gets to keep his job. Regardless of who leads the front office this offseason, Jacksonville needs to fortify all their defensive positional groups. It’s true that some units need more help than the others but all of them would welcome a boost. Keep in mind that the Jags will have around $60 million in cap space, so they should be able to re-sign a few contributors from last year and add a few players in the open market.
Before you keep reading, here’s a ranking of the Jags’ positional needs on offense. Without further ado, here’s how their positional needs on defense rank ahead of free agency.
The Jaguars seem to be set at the safety position this offseason.
The Jaguars made several changes to their safety room last year. Even though they re-signed Josh Jones in the offseason, they release him, along with Jarrod Wilson, during the last round of roster cuts ahead of the regular season. In free agency, they signed Rudy Ford and Rayshawn Jenkins. The former moved to the slot and the latter started for most of the year opposite Andrew Wingard. Moreover, the Jags drafted Andre Cisdco out of Syracuse in the third round of the 2021 draft.
Jenkins suffered an ankle injury near the end of the season but he shouldn’t take his starting job for granted. He failed to make many impact plays last year and was ejected for throwing a punch during the Week 11 game against the San Francisco 49ers. Wingard should also compete for playing time next year. He missed tackles at a high rate and wasn’t much of a difference-maker whenever he was on the field.
On the other hand, Cisco may be the Jaguars’ safety with the highest ceiling. He and Daniel Thomas should get a realistic shot for starting roles next year. Heading into the free agency, it doesn’t look like the front office will make many additions to the position. Jacksonville is seen as a potential landing spot for Jayron Kearse this offseason but there may not be room for him in the Jags’ crowded safety room. If anything, they should wait until the later rounds of the draft to add a bit of depth.
The Jaguars need to add depth to their cornerback room in free agency.
The Jaguars made a couple of additions to their cornerback room last offseason and the two of them turned out to be really good. First, they signed Shaquill Griffin in free agency and later selected Tyson Campbell 33rd overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. Both went on to start from Day 1 and should have the same role in 2022. On the other hand, Rudy Ford was a surprising acquisition last year.
Originally a safety, Ford signed with the Jags last offseason and moved to the slot in the middle of the season with positive reviews. Tre Herndon was expected to be the team’s nickel cornerback but an MCL injury he suffered in the preseason slowed him down throughout most of the year. He’s set to become a free agent and could return on a one-year deal.
Chris Claybrooks started a couple of games when injured struck Jacksonville’s cornerback room. If Campbell or Griffin remain healthy next season, Claybrooks may not see the field much. Veteran Nevin Lawson is also slated to walk in free agency, so it wouldn’t hurt the Jags to add depth in free agency. Maybe they could roll the dice on someone like Bryce Callahan or Charvarius Ward. Neither player will command a big-market contract and both of them were among Pro Football Focus’ top 10 free-agent cornerbacks in 2022.
Will the Jaguars re-sign Damien Wilson?
The Jaguars have one of the best linebackers in the NFL in Myles Jack. However, the former UCLA Bruin struggled in coverage and failed to register a sack, a forced fumble or an interception in 2021. He should be able to bounce back next season, as long as he’s still part of the team’s future plans.
Jack has one year left in his contract and it’s uncertain if he would fit whatever scheme the Jaguars’ will employ next season. If defensive coordinator Joe Cullen were to remain in Jacksonville, Jack’s chances of staying might go up. On the other hand, the Jags run the risk of losing Damien Wilson in free agency. The veteran linebacker signed a one-year deal last offseason and will hit the open market once again. Just like Jack, he might not fit the Jags’ next defensive system but was solid in 2021, logging three sacks and one interception, the first one of his NFL career.
Regardless of who’s calling the shots on defense, the Jaguars should keep Jack and re-sign Wilson. On the other hand, they could use a boost at outside linebacker. Josh Allen led the team in sacks with 7.5 and Dawuane Smoot was second with six. The Jags need a third pass rusher and Harold Landry of the Tennesee Titans may be available in free agency. He may ask for retail compensation but he would be worth it. Another alternative is to wait for the 2021 NFL Draft and take either Aidan Hutchinson or Kayvon Thibodeaux with the first overall pick.
Dylan Moses missed his rookie campaign while Jordan Smith only suited up in a couple of games and logged just 21 defensive snaps. Both Chapelle Russell and Dakota Allen will also be free agents, so it would be a good time to add depth to the linebacker corps in either free agency or the draft.
The Jaguars need to fortify their defensive front this offseason.
The Jaguars made several additions to their defensive front last offseason. They signed Roy Robertson-Harris and Jihad Ward in free agency. They re-signed Adam Gotsis and traded for Malcom Brown. Moreover, they drafted Jay Tufele in the fourth round of the 2021 selection meeting.
Ward, Gotsis, and defensive tackle Taven Bryan are all set to become free agents. Ward was a key cog in the team’s defensive line rotation and Gotsis made several stops throughout the year. Both could return in 2022. On the other hand, Bryan had two sacks in Week 9 but didn’t do much of note most of the season. Tufele missed time with a hand injury but should make a leap in Year 2. Defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton was healthy in 2021 after suffering a knee injury the season before. He should continue to get better in his third NFL season.
If the Jaguars want to sign an impact player in free agency, they could give Akiem Hicks a call this offseason. The veteran defensive lineman dealt with a groin injury last year but could fortify the Jags’ defensive front. One of the reasons the Jaguars struggled to stop the run late in the 2021 season was the inability to clog up running lanes and lose and hold ground at the line of scrimmage.
The Jaguars’ front office needs to beef up their defensive front this offseason but the 2022 free agent class may not be particularly enticing, so they might want to turn to the draft to add some depth.