5 under-the-radar free agents the Jacksonville Jaguars should target in 2023

No. 1 under-the-radar free agent for the Jacksonville Jaguars: Hayden Hurst

Evan Engram is arguably the Jaguars’ top pending free agent. Jared Dubin of CBS Sports seems to agree and goes as far as having him as the highest-ranked tight end on his list of top 25 offensive players slated to hit the open market.

But even though Engram and the team’s brass have expressed mutual interest in striking a multi-year contract, there’s a chance he will walk in free agency. If that’s the case, there are several tight ends the Jaguars could sign. Mike Gesicki is one name to keep an eye on in the open market but Jacksonville could also pursue Dalton Schultz.

The issue with signing Schultz or Gesicki is that both will most likely be looking for top-market deals. If the Jaguars aren’t inclined to fork out a significant amount of money for either one or even Austin Hooper, they should then consider taking a flyer on Hayden Hurst.

A first-round by the Baltimore Ravens in 2018, Hurst was traded to the Atlanta Falcons in 2020 due to the emergence of Mark Andrews. He signed a one-year deal with the Cincinnati Bengals last offseason and went on to have a productive campaign, hauling in 52 receptions for 414 yards with two touchdowns.

Even though Hurst won’t command the kind of market that Schultz or Engram will potentially have in free agency, he’s pretty reliable, having caught 52 passes or more in two of the last three years.

Hurst wouldn’t probably be nearly as productive on the Jaguars’ offense as Engram was last season but he will be substantially cheaper. Also, the Jaguars could use the 24th overall pick on a tight end, such as Darrell Washington or Michael Mayer, and pair him with Hurst.

Re-signing Engram should be Jaguars’ top priority in the offseason but they’ll have alternatives in free agency, including Hurst, in case their efforts are ultimately unsuccessful.