4 upcoming free agents the Jaguars can extend on the cheap

The Jacksonville Jaguars took a step in the right direction when they hired Doug Pederson as their head coach but they still have plenty of work left if they want to start winning games. Next, they will need to revamp their roster and add a few playmakers.

You won’t win many games in the NFL if you don’t have top-notch talent and the Jaguars haven’t had much in recent years. While they will be in a position to make a couple of splash signings in free agency, they should also bring back a few contributors that weren’t necessarily what you would call difference-makers but still filled important roles down the road. In particular, Jacksonville’s front office could re-sign these four players on the cheap.

No. 1 player the Jaguars could re-sign on the cheap – Will Richardson.

The Jaguars showed a commitment to keeping Trevor Lawrence upright when they re-signed interior offensive lineman Tyer Shatley, who has made 18 starts over the last two seasons. They should now continue with Will Richardson, who could be a valuable dept piece up front.

A fourth-round selection by the Jags in the 2018 NFL Draft, Richardson was the team’s top backup at offensive tackle before the arrival of Walker Littler last year. The North Carolina State product missed his rookie campaign because of a finger injury but has appeared in 44 games with five starts over the last three seasons.

Last season, Richardson showed his versatility to play different positions when injuries depleted the Jaguars’ offensive line. After lining up at tackle for most of his career, he played 123 snaps at right guard in 2021. Re-signing Richardson won’t send shockwaves in Jacksonville but it would ensure the Jaguars have enough depth up front in case that injuries strike once again.