5 potential cap casualties the Jacksonville Jaguars could sign in 2022

No. 3 cap casualty the Jaguars should sign in 2022 – Za’Darius Smith, OLB.

Pass rushers are always in high demand and NFL teams can never have enough. The Jaguars have outside linebackers Josh Allen and Dawuan Smoot but they could surely use a third edge defender. Back in 2019, Jacksonville had a formidable pass-rush trio in Calais Campbell, Yannick Ngakoue, and Allen. However, the front office traded Campbell and Ngakoue the following season, and their ability to pressure opposing quarterbacks dropped considerably.

It’s time the Jaguars bolster their pass rush and while drafting either Kayvon Thibodeaux or Aidan Hutchinson looks tempting, they will have their fair share of choices in free agency too. Chandler Jones and Harold Landry figured to be the top two edge rushers available this year but Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Za’Darius Smith could also join the party.

A fourth-round selection by the Baltimore Ravens in the 2015 draft, Smith signed with the Packers in 2019 and went on to have two productive seasons, making 32 starts and logging 26.5 sacks, 29 total tackles for a loss, and five forced fumbles. However, the two-time Pro Bowl selection was limited to one game in 2021 after suffering a back injury.

While Green Bay will try to look for a way to hold onto Smith, it wouldn’t be particularly shocking if they cut ties with him to get some cap relief. Releasing him would create $12.4 in dead money but also $15.3 million in savings.