5 players that the Jaguars would have liked to target in free agency

No. 5 player the Jaguars wish were available – Harold Landry, OLB.

The Jaguars have shown a penchant for breaking news at night. Back when Urban Meyer got kicked to the curb, they announced the firing at midnight. Similarly, they hired head coach Doug Pederson close to 11 p.m. ET, when everyone was getting ready to hit the bed. The Tennesse Titans recently pulled off a similar move.

On a day in which the Seattle Seahawks traded Rusell Wilson to the Denver Broncos, Aaron Rodgers announced he was returning and multiple franchise tags were used, Mike Garafolo of NFL Media reported around 9 p.m. that the Titans gave outside linebacker Harold Landry a five-year deal worth $87 million. They announced the signing not long after. A second-round pick in 2018, the former Boston College Eagle had a breakout year in 2021, amassing 12 sacks, 75 total tackles, 14 tackles for a loss, and one forced fumble.

Had Landry been available, he would have been one of the top three pass rushers available. But with him staying in Tennessee, the Jaguars will have to look somewhere else for pass-rush help. If they want to sign an edge defender in free agency, Chandler Jones and Von Miller will be their top options. Jadeveon Clowney, who is coming off a nine-sack season could also receive consideration.

On the other hand, the Jags could turn to the draft to find a bookend pass rusher opposite outside linebacker Josh Allen. After tagging Cam Robinson, Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson is the favorite to go first overall in the 2022 NFL Draft, so even with Landry off the market, Jacksonville will still have alternatives to bolster their front seven.