3 free agents the Jaguars could target following the 2022 NFL Draft

No. 2 free agent the Jaguars can sign post-draft: Jason McCourty, S.

The Jaguars’ usage of Andrew Wingard at free safety in the defensive backfield the past few seasons has been somewhat of a head-scratcher. He is in no way a terrible football player but he ultimately belongs in the special teams unit, not as an NFL team’s starting free safety. He has consistently shown that he lacks the raw speed, playmaking ability and athleticism required by a starter at the position.

Former Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots free safety Jason McCourty, however, has made a name for himself prowling and preying on route runners in the defensive backfield, making electric plays on a consistent basis throughout his career. He was savvy enough to start on a Bill Belichick-run defense for years and he boasts 18 career interceptions along with nine forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries. The guy makes plays, plain and simple.

He may be getting long in the tooth at 33 years old and somehow hasn’t had an interception since 2019, but he’d still instantly provide an upgrade at the position for the Jaguars. A one-year deal would allow Jacksonville to temporarily solidify the free safety position until they can develop a young player to fill Mccourty’s shoes.

Another player the Jaguars would almost assuredly covet is former Washington Commanders strong safety Landon Collins. He plays mainly in and out of the box and benefits from playing closer to the line of scrimmage, hence the reason he plays strong safety. Although he isn’t a true free safety, he’d still instantly upgrade the position for the Jaguars over Wingard.