5 Jacksonville Jaguars potential salary-cap casualties in 2023

No. 2 Jaguars potential salary-cap causality: Jamal Agnew, returner, WR

Dead cap figure – $1.16 million

Potential cap savings – $4.75 million

Just like Roy Robertson-Harris, return specialist Jamal Agnew got a three-year deal from the Jaguars last year and based on his contributions early in the 2021 season, it looked like they got plenty of bang for their buck. A fifth-round pick by the Detroit Lions in the 2017 draft, he gave Jacksonville’s return game a significant boost, scoring two touchdowns in back-to-back weeks.

Agnew’s first trip to the end zone came in a kick return against the Denver Broncos in Week 2 and against the Arizona Cardinals the following week, he took back a failed field goal all the way to the house. The San Diego product showed he could also contribute on offense, catching 24 receptions for 229 yards and scoring on a 66-yard run. Alas, a hip injury cut his season short.

Even though the Jaguars’ coaching staff is letting several players handle return duties in Organized Team Activities, there’s no doubt Agnew is their best option once he’s healthy. As head coach Doug Pederson said, Jacksonville wants to have alternatives, which is what any other club would do.

Having said that, Agnew won’t see as much playing time on offense this upcoming offseason, due to the addition of wide receivers Christian Kirk and Zay Jones. And if he underperforms on special teams, it will be hard to justify his $5.9 million salary next offseason. He was one of the few bright spots the Jaguars had last season but he could become a cap casualty if he doesn’t make an impact in 2022.