Trevor Lawrence should be thrilled that the Jacksonville Jaguars acquired wide receiver Calvin Ridley from the Atlanta Falcons just hours before this year’s trade deadline. Although Ridley can’t play until 2023 due to the one-season suspension he’s currently serving after betting on football games last year, Lawrence should have no trouble waiting.
With Ridley joining a group that includes Zay Jones and Christian Kirk, the Jags won’t probably allocate significant resources to their wide receiver corps next offseason. They should instead turn their attention to other position groups that are in need of help, which might be tough when you take into account that the Jags are set to be $400,000 over the cap in 2023.
Then again, the Jaguars’ brass could free up cap space by axing a few players and restructuring a few deals. Simply, they can’t afford to neglect the next three position groups in 2023.
No. 3 position group the Jaguars must address in 2023: Edge rusher
The Jaguars took Travon Walker with the first overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft but he was seen as a long-term project coming out of college and that’s turned out to be the case. Despite the fact that he’s played 85 percent of the Jaguars’ total snaps on defense this season, he’s mostly been a non-factor in pass-rush situations, posting one of those worst win rates in the league.
Best/Worst PFF pass-rush win rates with stunts/blitzes removed:
— Austin Gayle (@austingayle_) October 25, 2022
1. Gregory Rousseau (30%)
2. Myles Garrett (27%)
T-3. Nick Bosa (24%)
T-3. Rashan Gary (24%)
T-5. Josh Allen (23%)
T-5. Maxx Crosby (23%)
...
T-65. JPP (5%)
T-65. Travon Walker (5%)
T-65. Yetur Gross-Matos (5%)
On the other hand, outside linebacker Josh Allen will be in the fifth year of his rookie deal. While the former Kentucky Wildcat has been good, you will probably be hard-press to find someone who thinks he’s an elite edge defender. The production simply isn’t there.
Allen might very well become elite but he’s not there yet. When you take into account that both Arden Key and Dawuane Smooth are set to become free agents in 2023, pass rusher suddenly becomes a need for the Jags.
On the bright side, Jacksonville is expected to hold a high selection in next year’s draft and there will be several intriguing prospects in the top 10. Will Anderson Jr., anyone?
No. 2 position group the Jaguars must address in 2023: Tight end
The Jaguars did of surrounding Trevor Lawrence with weapons in the offseason. However, most of their tight ends are expected to hit the open market next year and they will likely be working with a tight budget, so it will be hard to bring any of them back. Evan Engram signed a one-year deal with the Jags in March and the truth of the matter is that it’s difficult to see him taking a discount in 2023.
Dan Arnold has played well when called upon but he’s tumbled down the depth chart since the arrival of head coach Doug Pederson, so it may not make much sense to re-sign him. In fact, Arnold popped up on a list of player proposals a couple of weeks before the trade deadline due to his diminished role on the Jags’ offense.
Chris Manhertz, who’s gotten more playing time than Arnold this season, is also slated to become a free agent next year. All things considered, he’s the most likely to return of the bunch. He won’t get many targets his way but he’s pretty good in the blocking department.
But even if Manhertz returns next year, the only other tight end on the Jaguars’ roster will be Luke Farrell, who is nothing more than a backup at this stage of his career, so general manager Trent Baalke will probably need to turn to the draft to revamp the position. If the Jags aren’t able to land one of the top edge rushers, Notre Dame’s Michael Mayer then becomes an option.
No. 1 position group the Jaguars must address in 2023: Cornerback
Cornerback was one of the Jaguars’ biggest strengths entering the 2022 season but the front office will need to replenish the group next year. Sophomore Tyson Campbell has quickly improved and become a key cog in Jacksonville’s secondary. However, the rest of the group could undergo a makeover in 2023.
Shaquill Griffin, who is set to count $17.5 million against the cap next offseason, is currently on Injured Reserve with a back injury. When you consider that Jags are in need of cap relief, moving on from him sounds reasonable. Releasing him would free up $13.5 million in cap space with a cap hit of $4 million.
Tre Herndon, who took Griffin’s place in the starting lineup, is set to become a free agent in 2023 but if the Jags aren’t interested in bringing him back or aren’t unable to, they will need to find a replacement. After all, Herndon might not be a Pro Bowl-caliber cornerback but he’s got starting experience and is flexible enough to line up inside and outside.
Chris Claybrooks is also an adequate backup but nothing more and he will be entering the last year of his rookie deal. So let’s say Herndon isn’t back and the Jaguars release Griffin, they would need to add two cornerbacks in 2023.
Knowing cornerback isn’t the only need the Jags will need to address in 2023, it will be interesting to see what kind of moves they make in free agency and the draft. At least, they can check wide receiver off on their offseason list.