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

No. 3 free agent the Jaguars can sign post-draft: Akiem Hicks, DT.

Another position that lacks starting-level depth is defensive tackle. The Jaguars focused mainly on pass-rushers when it came to the defensive line in free agency and the draft. But the line surely lacks interior depth. There isn’t a lot of proven depth behind Roy Robertson-Harris, Jay Tufele and DeVon Hamilton on the interior and the Jaguars should add at least one more defensive lineman to at least add legitimate competition in training camp.

Former Chicago Bears defensive lineman Akiem Hicks would provide that and more. The Jaguars are in need of more up-field punch and penetration as they are relatively deep at nose-tackle or one-technique. The best three-technique defensive tackle on the market, Hicks would instantly upgrade not only the Jaguars’ defensive line, but the defense as a whole.

The defense simply needs to get better at getting off the field quicker and signing a player like Hicks would do a lot towards reaching that goal. Unlike the previous players mentioned, Hicks is still playing at a Pro-Bowl level and he’d help Jacksonville consistently disrupt the opposing offensive back-field with a mean streak like few others.