3 Jaguars biggest free-agency blunders of the Trent Balke era

Things can quickly change in the NFL and for proof look no further than Jacksonville Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke, whose reputation has gotten a bit of a boost since the end of the 2021 season, when fans wanted the organization to give him the boot.

Although Urban Meyer was seen as the main culprit for the Jags’ dysfunction last year, Baalke deserves to shoulder some of the blame. After all, he failed to restack the roster and made several moves that hardly had any impact.

While it’s hard to tell from the outside looking in just how much of a role Baalke played in the Jaguars’ acquisitions last year, he, not Meyer, was the general manager, so he’s going to be responsible for all matters related to personnel, whether they’re good or bad.

With that in mind, here are the three biggest free-agency blunders of the Trent Baalke era.

No. 3 Jaguars’ FA blunder of the Trent Baalke era: Zay Jones, WR

The Jaguars had a surplus of cap space earlier this year and allocated a good chunk of it to signing wide receivers Christian Kirk and Zay Jones. While the former has gone on to become one of Trevor Lawrence’s favorite targets, the latter’s production hasn’t been on par with the contract he signed in the offseason.

A second-round pick by the Buffalo Bills in 2017, Jones spent time with the Las Vegas Raiders before signing a three-year deal worth $24 million with the Jags. The former East Carolina Panther hasn’t been bad but he hasn’t been great either, hauling in 47 receptions or 417 yards with one touchdown.

That’s a solid stat line but not the one you expect from someone who got paid a premium for his services. The jury is still out on Jones though. While his production doesn’t match his contract, he’s got time to pick up the pace and change the narrative regarding his acquisition in free agency.

No. 2 Jaguars FA blunder of the Trent Baalke era: Shaquill Griffin, CB

The Jaguars weren’t particularly aggressive in last year’s free agency but they still handed out a few big contracts and cornerback Shaquill Griffin signed the biggest of all, a three-year deal worth $40 million.

A third-round pick in 2019, Griffin made the Pro Bowl in 2020 and was solid in his first season with the Jags, logging 49 total tackles and seven pass deflections. Moreover, he was a locker room leader and often showed his face after the team lost, so it made sense that he would be even better with Meyer out of the picture.

However, Griffin wasn’t off to a great start in 2022, allowing two touchdown receptions in the opener. He then gave up another against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 6. He was shut down for the season with a back injury he had been dealing with since training camp.

Griffin still has one year left on his deal but it’s hard to see him returning in 2023. After all, he’s set to count $17.5 million against the cap next year but releasing him would free up $13.5 million with $4 million in dead money. Also, his play hasn’t been on par with his contract.

Moving on from Griffin next offseason makes sense when you take into account the Jags will be in a cap crunch to start 2023 and will need to free up space. Releasing the veteran cornerback would give them plenty of breathing room.

No. 1 Jaguars FA blunder of the Trent Baalke era: Carlos Hyde, RB

At first sight, signing Carlos Hyde last year didn’t look like a bad idea. He had a 1,000-yard season in 2019 and didn’t have significant tread on the tires, so on paper, the Jags had a solid complement to running back James Robinson. Unfortunately, that’s not how things played out in Jacksonville.

Hyde played for Meyer at the college level but Baalke was the general manager of the San Franciso 49ers when they picked him in the second round of the 2014 draft, so it’s easily the team’s brass felt compelled to sign him.

Keep in mind that this wasn’t Hyde’s first stint in Jacksonville. He was traded to the Jags in 2018 and went on to appear in eight games with two starts and rack up 189 yards on 58. Those aren’t impressive numbers but there was a reason to believe he would do better this time.

Not long after re-joining the Jaguars, the former Ohio State Buckeye told the media he was going through a lot the first time around but he was ready to be a leader now and fill whatever role the team needed. Unfortunately, Hyde’s second stint in Jacksonville didn’t go better than the first one.

Besides averaging a paltry 3.9 yards per carry, Meyer wanted Hyde to get playing time over Robinson even though he wasn’t nearly as good. To make matters worse, he suffered a concussion in Week 14 and went on to miss the remainder o the season.

Not surprisingly, Hyde wasn’t brought back in the offseason and currently is a free agent.