6 players Jacksonville Jaguars must avoid in free agency

No. 4 free agent the Jaguars should avoid in 2022 – Terron Armstead, LT.

Everyone agrees that the Jaguars need to bolster their offensive line and ensure that Trevor Lawrence has optimal protection up front. However, there’s no consensus on how to do it. While taking Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal with the first overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft makes sense, that’s far from the only way to fortify the unit.

The Jags could try to re-sign left tackle Cam Robinson and sign offensive Brandon Scherff in free agency. Another possibility is to bring back guard Andrew Norwell and plug Walker Little at right tackle. The truth is that there are several paths the front office can take but they should avoid signing left tackle Terron Armstead in free agency, not because he lacks talent but rather because of his price tag and his injury history.

Armstead has been one of the top tackles in the NFL since the New Orleans Saints chose him in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft and precisely because of that, he will be in a position to ask for premium compensation this offseason. However, the team that ends up forking enough cash to sign him needs to expect him to miss time at some point in the future. After all, the three-time Pro Bowl selection has never played a full season in his NFL career and has missed 48 games over the last nine years.

Spotrac projects Armstead to sign a four-year deal worth around $95 million in free agency. The Jaguars should sit this one out and let another team pay him the contract he deserves.