Ranking top 3 position groups on the Jacksonville Jaguars roster ahead of 2023 NFL free agency
![Garrett Johnson holds up a 2022 South division championship banner during the first half Saturday, Jan 21, 2023 at TIAA Bank Field's Dream Finders Homes Flex Field at Daily's Place in Jacksonville, Fla. Thousands came out to a watch party to cheer on the Jacksonville Jaguars via big screen as they faced the Kansas City Chiefs in an AFC divisional round playoff game held at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]Jki 012123 Jags Fans Reaction 19](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape%2Fcover%2Fsport%2Fhttps-3A-2F-2Fblackandteal-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fimagn-images-2F2017-2F07-2F19834739-850x560-ab02e99fef2f29e8781ffee2c51fb2d84adffdebbac1f2b774e2f561f97b6dae.jpg "Garrett Johnson holds up a 2022 South division championship banner during the first half Saturday, Jan 21, 2023 at TIAA Bank Field's Dream Finders Homes Flex Field at Daily's Place in Jacksonville, Fla. Thousands came out to a watch party to cheer on the Jacksonville Jaguars via big screen as they faced the Kansas City Chiefs in an AFC divisional round playoff game held at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]Jki 012123 Jags Fans Reaction 19")
No. 2 top position group on the Jacksonville Jaguars roster – Wide receiver
You have probably heard that future favors the bold. If that’s the case, general manager Trent Baalke deserves credit for acquiring wide receiver Calvin Ridley just before last year’s trade deadline. The Alabama product is serving an indefinite suspension for betting on NFL games in December 2021 but he applied for reinstatement on his first day of eligibility. There’s no reason to think he won’t be cleared to resume his football career.
If/when Ridley is reinstated, he’ll round out a group that already includes Christian Kirk and Zay Jones. Both Kirk and Jones are coming off career years and should pick up where they left off last season despite the fact that wide receivers coach Chris Jackson left the Jags to join the Texans Longhorn staff earlier this year.
On the other hand, veteran wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. is expected to leave in free agency. The former Cal Golden Bear was the Jaguars’ led receiver in 2021, hauling in 73 receptions for 832 yards with four touchdowns. However, his role was diminished last season due to the arrival of Kirk and Jones. Return specialist Jamal Agnew was the No. 4 receiver on the Jaguars’ depth chart last season and should have the same role in 2023 if he doesn’t become a cap casualty.
Tim Jones was outstanding in the preseason but was mostly quiet once the regular season started. He only had three catches but could see an uptick in playing time if he fares well in offseason activities. There’s also Kevin Austin Jr., who was signed to a reserve/future contract not long ago.
While there will be a few enticing options at wide receiver in free agency — Allen Lazard, Nelson Agholor, Jakobi Meyer, and JuJu Smith-Schuster — the Jaguars are set at the position, so they can wait until the draft to add a wide receiver with a middle or late-round selection.