6 players Jacksonville Jaguars must avoid in free agency

No. 2 free agent the Jaguars should avoid in 2022 – David Njoku, TE.

Pretty much every Jaguars’ positional group on offense but quarterback could use a boost this offseason and their tight end room is no different. Dan Arnold become a reliable weapon last offseason but he hurt his MCL against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 12 of the 2021 season and went on to miss the remaining six games.

Arnold should have no trouble claiming back his spot as the Jaguars’ number one tight end in 2022 but the front office should add some depth to the position. Signing David Njoku in free agency would make sense as long as he’s compensated as he’s at this point of his NFL career: A role player.

A first-round selection by the New York Giants in the 2017 Draft, Njoku had a respectable sophomore campaign, catching 56 receptions for 639 yards and four touchdowns. However, he fell off a cliff the following year and has a combined 60 grabs for 729 yards and seven touchdowns over the last three seasons. That kind of production doesn’t warrant top market compensation but Spotrac still expects the tight end to sign a four-year, $26.9 million deal ($6.7 million average per year) this offseason. That’s simply too much.

If the Jaguars want to add depth to their tight end room, they should either re-sign James O’Shaughnessy or target Maxx Williams in free agency. If they want to acquire a playmaker, signing Dalton Schultz should be at the top of their priority list.