One of the downsides of making the Super Bowl is that you will lose several players in free agency. Last year, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were able to keep all 22 starters but that was the exception, not the rule and it’s unlikely that the Los Angeles Rams, who will face off against the Cincinnati Bengals on Championship Sunday, will be able to keep their roster intact this offseason.
Then again, the Rams were able to make the Super Bowl for the second time in four years due in part to their ability to replenish their roster year in and year out. But that doesn’t mean they won’t miss these five free agents, which the Jaguars could and should target this offseason.
No. 1 Rams free agent the Jaguars should sign – Darious Williams, CB.
Cornerback isn’t a pressing need for the Jaguars this offseason. Sure, they could add depth to the unit this offseason but they have a pair of starters in Shaquill Griffin and Tyson Campbell. Barring serious injuries, both of them should be in Jacksonville’s defensive lineup in Week 1.
Nevertheless, the Jaguars could pursue cornerback Darious Williams in free agency. They are better off investing in other positional groups but if they think he’s too good to pass up, they should then attempt to sign him. The University of Alabama-Birmingham product signed with the Baltimore Ravens after going undrafted in 2018. However, he was released during the season and was claimed off of waivers by Los Angeles.
Williams steadily worked his way up the Rams’ roster and had a breakout season in 2020, logging 14 passes defensed and four interceptions. Moreover, he allowed a 54 percent completion rate and was named Second-Team All-Pro.
Keep in mind that signing Williams won’t be cheap. He’s ranked 20th in Pro Football Focus’ top 100 list of free agents and is expected to get a three-year, $40 million contract this offseason. While that’s less than what Shaq Griffin got last year, it’s unlikely that the Jaguars’ brass wants to allocate so much cap space to their cornerback room. Still, it shouldn’t be ruled out just yet.
No. 2 Rams free agent the Jaguars should sign – Von Miller, OLB.
After ten seasons with the Denver Broncos, eight Pro Bowls, three All-Pro designations, and a Super Bowl ring, outside linebacker Von Miller was traded to the Los Angeles Rams in the middle of the 2021 season. Although he couldn’t contribute right away due to an ankle injury he sustained against the Cleveland Browns in Week 7, he went on to leave his mark on the Rams’ defense, posting seven sacks in the last seven games, playoffs included.
Even though Miller missed the 2020 season with an ankle injury and will be 33 by the start of the 2022 campaign, he’s not showing signs of slowing down. Los Angeles currently has around $6 million in cap space and might not be able to bring back the Texas A&M product unless he accepts to return on a discount rate.
If Miller hits the open market, the Jaguars should consider pursuing him if they plan to use the first overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft on an offensive lineman such as Evan Neal of Alabama or Charlie Cross of Mississippi State. Spotrac expects the 2011 first-round pick to strike a deal that pays him an average of $10.6 million over a two-year span. That would be less than what edge rusher Tennessee Titans Harold Landry might get and a sound short-term investment for the Jaguars if they want to use their cap space to address other positional groups this offseason.
No. 3 Rams free agent the Jaguars should sign – Austin Corbett, OG.
While most NFL teams treat first-round selection like first-edition Pokemon cards or Fabergé eggs, the Rams are notorious for trading them aways and have not had one since 2016, the year they drafted quarterback Jared Goff first overall. So how can they replenish their roster even though they lack premium draft picks? General manager Les Snead has shown a penchant for poaching talent from others clubs. Take guard Austin Corbett for example.
A second-round selection by the Cleveland Browns in 2018, Corbett was traded to Los Angeles the following year and he went on to become a mainstay of their offensive line right away. Since joining the Rams, the former Nevada Wolf Pack standout has participated in 41 games with 40 starts.
Corbett has gotten better each year and has allowed just five sacks over the last three years. Moreover, he posted a Pro Football Focus grade of 68.8 or better over the last two seasons and has the versatility to line up at any of the three interior offensive line positions. Spotrac expects Corbett to sign a four-year deal worth $35 million this offseason and if the Jaguars think Brandon Scherff is out of their price range, the Rams guard would then become a solid option in free agency.
No. 4 Rams free agent the Jaguars should sign – Sony Michel, RB.
Just a few years ago, Todd Gurley was one of the Rams’ most prominent players. However, injuries eventually robbed him of the burst and explosiveness that made him arguably the best running back in the NFL in his prime and was released during the 2020 offseason.
Surprisingly (or not), the Rams’ running game didn’t miss a beat thanks to Darrel Henderson and Cam Akers. Alas, the latter tore his Achilles before the 2021 season got underway and Los Angeles acquired Sony Michel from the New England Patriots in exchange for a 2022 sixth-round selection and a 2023 fourth-rounder.
Michel went on to play all 17 games last year and was pretty productive for the Rams, toting the rock 208 times for 845 rushing yards with four touchdowns. The Jaguars’ backfield could use that kind of production in 2022, especially when you take into account that Travis Etienne sustained a Lisfranc injury last preseason and James Robinson tore his Achilles near the end of the 2021 season.
Although the 2018 first-round pick isn’t much of a receiver, he’s good at pass protection and an effective runner. Pro Football Focus expects him to get a two-year, $8.5 million in free agency, which shouldn’t be cost-prohibitive for a Jaguars’ team that needs to add depth to their backfield. Michel may be interested in becoming a lead back wherever he signs but he’s better as a part of a tandem. That would be the role he would have in Jacksonville.
No. 5 Rams free agent the Jaguars should sign – Odell Beckahm Jr., WR.
Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. joined the Rams in the middle of the 2021 season and will appear in the Super Bowl for the first time of his NFL career. Although he’s expressed a desire to return to Los Angeles, he may exceed the team’s budget this year and is a candidate to hit the free-agent market.
Being claimed off waivers by Los Angeles last season was one of the best things that could happen to Beckham’s career. He’s been able to rehabilitate his stock after failing to make an impact as a member of the Cleveland Browns, where he was traded back in 2019. Although the 2014 first-round pick didn’t contribute right away on the Rams’ offense, he’s made a few clutch plays during their most recent playoff run, showing he can still play at a high level.
Beckham says he is willing to accept a lower salary to remain in Los Angeles but the Rams have to address other needs, and re-signing him may not be a top priority. If he becomes a free agent and his salary demands aren’t unrealistic, the Jaguars should make a run for him. After all, he’s shown he’s still got it and if he has monster performance in Championship Sunday his price will go up in this year’s free agency.