5 players the Jaguars can sign to address positional needs in free agency

No. 3 free agent the Jaguars can sign to fill a need – Akiem Hicks, DT.

Matt Lombardo of FanSided reports the Jaguars will go shopping at the top of the offensive and defensive line markets, so it wouldn’t be shocking to see them spend a good chunk of their cap space in both lines. While defensive tackle doesn’t frequently pop up at the top of Jacksonville’s offseason needs, they could certainly beef up their defensive front, especially when you take into account that defensive tackles Adam Gotsis and Taven Bryan are expected to hit the open market.

One defensive tackle who will be available is Akiem Hicks. A third-round selection by the New Orleans Saints in 2012, Hicks has been a pretty productive player since joining the Chicago Bears in 2016, making 77 starts and tallying 31 sacks, 88 quarterback hits, and five forced fumbles. Last year, he missed four games with an ankle injury and was later placed on the COVID-19/Reserve list but he showed no signs of slowing down.

Hicks made $10 million in base salary last season and even though he’s 32, he will most likely have a robust market in free agency and should have no trouble fetching a lucrative deal. Pro Football Focus expects him to get a two-year deal worth $17 million, with $12.5 million guaranteed. If the Jags want to indeed bolster their defensive front in free agency, they should make an aggressive effort to land Hicks.

Other players that deserve consideration: B.J. Reed, Folorunso Fatukasi.