5 potential cap casualties the Jacksonville Jaguars should be in on in 2023

No. 1 cap casualty the Jacksonville Jaguars should target: Khalil Mack

Pass rusher isn’t mentioned nearly as often as cornerback but it’s without a doubt one position the Jaguars must address this offseason. Even though outside linebacker Travon Walker got better as the 2022 season went on, the team’s brass can’t solely depend on him and bookend edge rusher Josh Allen.

Despite the fact that sacks aren’t the only way to measure a pass rusher’s effectiveness, the Jaguars must improve in that area after registering 35 last year, tied for 25th in the league. Walker and Allen ended up accounting for 10.5 of those sacks and Dawuane Smoot, who tallied six, is set to become a free agent.

Even if the Jags bring Smoot back, they should add another pass rusher this offseason, and if Khalil Mack is available, they should pursue him. Despite the fact that Mack hasn’t registered 10 or more sacks since 2018, he’s still a pretty productive player, posting 23 sacks and five forced fumbles over the last three seasons.

After struggling with injuries in recent years, Mack was traded to Los Angeles Chargers last year and managed to appear in all 17 games. However, he could be one and done with the Bolts, as he’s set to have a cap hit of $27.4 million in 2023. The fact that the Chargers can save up $18.4 million — or $23 million if they design him as a post-June 1 cut — makes a potential cap casualty.

If Los Angeles does move on from Mack, the Jaguars should make an aggressive effort to sign him as he would give their pass rush a huge boost.