For the next few days, the NFL Scouting Combine will take center stage, and rightfully so. Clubs will get to see draft prospects perform all kinds of drills and will have a chance to meet with them in order to pick their brains. Similarly, free agency will take a back seat despite the fact that it’s just two weeks away.
The Jacksonville Jaguars already got to work, signing offensive lineman Tyler Shatley to a two-year deal. However, that’s just one of many moves they will need to make in the upcoming days. They have several roster needs but will have around $53 million in cap space to address several of them in free agency.
Here’s a ranking of the Jags’ biggest needs ahead of free agency, and if they play their cards right, they should be able to fill two or three of them.
No. 5 Jaguars’ positional need ahead of free agency – Cornerback.
The Jaguars have a pair of starting cornerbacks in Tyson Campbell and Shaquill Griffin. But they should err on the side of caution and add depth to the position this offseason. After all, you can never have enough corners and they should be ready in case injuries strike in 2022.
Also, veteran Nevin Lawson and Tre Herndon are slated to hit the open market, so this is a good time for the Jags’ to replenish their cornerback room. While targeting Stephon Gilmore or J.C. Jackson in free agency may be unrealistic due to the kind of salary they will command, there will be a few budget-friendly options available, such as K’Wuan Williams, Bryce Callahan, and Robert Alford. The three of them have dealt with injuries but could be solid depth options if healthy.
No. 4 Jaguars’ positional need ahead of free agency – Tight end.
While Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke had several hits in the 2021 NFL Draft, he also had his fair share of misses, including how he addressed the tight end position last offseason. Had he taken a different approach, he wouldn’t have needed to offer Tim Tebow a workout, sign Jacob Hollister before the start of the season, and trade for Dan Arnold, who was available in free agency.
The Jags also drafted Luke Farrell in the fifth round last year but it doesn’t look like he will contribute much anytime soon. Dan Arnold became one of Trevor Lawrence’s favorite targets once he landed in Jacksonville and James O’Shaughnessy also had a big role in the Jags’ offensive whenever he was healthy. However, Arnold is coming off an MCL injury, and O’Shaughnessy is scheduled to become a free agent.
If Arnold had played the whole 2021 campaign in Jacksonville, he could have gotten close to 1,000 receiving yards. Also, he developed a good rapport with Trevor Lawrence but that doesn’t mean Baalke shouldn’t make upgrades at tight end this offseason.
The Jags have enough cap space to pursue either Dalton Schultz or Mike Gesicki, the top two tight ends in free agency. Another option is pursuing Zach Ertz, who is one of several players with ties to head coach Doug Pederson that the front office could target. On the other hand, if the Jags want to take on a reclamation project, they could then sign O.J. Howard or Evan Engram.
No. 3 Jaguars’ positional need ahead of free agency – Pass rusher.
The Jaguars’ defense made strides last season. After ranking 31st in points scored in 2020, they moved up to 28th last season. While that doesn’t seem like a meaningful improvement, you have to keep in mind that Joe Cullen’s unit often stopped opposing teams but the offense couldn’t do much once they had the ball.
One area in which the Jags’ defense improved was sacks. They registered 32 in 2021 after logging a measly 18 the season before. They still ranked near the cellar, but you have to learn to walk before you can walk and if the Jaguars want to do a better job of pressuring opposing quarterbacks, they need to get a bookend edge defender opposite outside linebacker Josh Allen.
Taking either Oregon’s Kayvon Thibodeaux or Michigan’s Aidan Hutchinson with the first overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft seems like a realistic possibility but the Jaguars’ brass could also get a pass rusher in this year’s free agency.
If the front office isn’t worried about paying a premium, they should then target Chandler Jones, Harold Landry, or Von Miller. Any of them would give Jacksonville’s front seven an immediate boost. Another option is Jadeveon Clowney, who’s dealt with injuries throughout his career but is coming off a season in which he logged nine sacks. Also, signing a pass rusher in free agency would pave the way for the Jaguars to take Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal with the top pick in the draft.
No. 2 Jaguars’ positional need ahead of free agency – Left tackle.
The Jaguars could have a burden of choice kind of situation at hand when it comes to the left tackle position this offseason. Cam Robinson is set to become a free agent and it’s uncertain how much of an effort the team’s brass will make to retain him. Giving him a multi-year deal that pays him around $14 million seems fair but the Jags could also use the franchise tag for the second consecutive year, which would pay him $16.5 million in 2022.
If Jacksonville opts to let Robinson walk in free agency, that’s when things will get interesting. Would they pursue Terron Armstead? They would need to pay a premium for his services but he’s one of the top left tackles in the NFL and Trevor Lawrence’s blind spot would be well-protected. On the other hand, the Jags will need to expect him to sit out a few games, as he’s never played a full season throughout his NFL career.
Another option at left tackle for the Jaguars at left tackle in free agency is Eric Fisher. While he’s not near Armstead’s level, he would be cheaper and he’s been pretty consistent since being drafted first overall in 2013. He would command around $10 million per season, which is significantly less than the $20 million the Jaguars have to pay annually to secure Armstead’s services. Other options in the open market could be Riley Reiff and Trent Brown. Both of them would be solid alternatives but they have dealt with injuries in the past.
No. 5 Jaguars’ positional need ahead of free agency – Wide receiver.
Wide receiver is the Jaguars’ biggest positional need ahead of free agency and they will have plenty of choices to address it in free agency. But first thing first, the team’s brass needs to make DJ Chark Jr. a reasonable offer. While using the franchise tag should be off the table, they could offer him a one-year, prove-it deal that would allow him to increase his value and hit the open market once again next offseason.
Whether the Jags are able to secure Chark, they will have to decide how much they want to invest in their wide receiver corps in free agency. They have enough cap space to pursue Davante Adams and outbid pretty much every other team. However, signing him comes with a hefty price, specifically an annual salary of $30 million, which would limit the front office’s ability to make upgrades at other positions. Keep in mind that Jacksonville isn’t one player away from winning the Super Bowl, so they might be better off passing on Adams.
On the other hand, Amari Cooper — if available — could give the Jaguars’ offense an immediate boost but he won’t be their only choice. They could also bring back Allen Robinson or pursue Mike Williams. All of them would be enticing options and none of them would be as expensive as Adams.
If the Jaguars don’t want to make a huge investment at wide receiver, Russell Gage and Cedrick Wilson will be cheaper alternatives with big upside.