5 Jacksonville Jaguars dream targets in 2023 NFL Free Agency
![A Jacksonville Jaguars fan holds up a sign before a regular season NFL football matchup between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Dallas Cowboys Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022 at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]Jki 121822 Cowboys Jags Cp 7](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-2F2017-2F07-2F19646377-850x560-a6360f740b3ace6d83f6ce46d30d38fbd1c7d1e61ff7915b2e11a1ca312823e3.jpg "A Jacksonville Jaguars fan holds up a sign before a regular season NFL football matchup between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Dallas Cowboys Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022 at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]Jki 121822 Cowboys Jags Cp 7")
No. 3 Jacksonville Jaguars dream free agent in 2023: Marcus Davenport, DE
The Jaguars defensive line isn’t the only group that could use a few upgrades. They got solid production from their outside linebackers at times but Josh Allen and Travon Walker weren’t always consistent. Some of that might have been due to getting acclimated to defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell’s system but that doesn’t mean their pass rush couldn’t use a boost.
Defensive end/outside linebacker Dawuane Smoot was one of their most consistent defenders in the first half of the season but tore his Achilles in Week 16 and finished the year on the Injured Reserve. Smoot is now slated to become a free agent but even if he returns, the Jaguars could use another pass rusher.
This year’s pass rush class lacks star power but there are a handful of players available that can bring heat to the quarterback. One of them is outside linebacker Marcus Davenport, one of New Orleans’ top edge rushers since they made him a first-round pick in 2018.
Even though Davenport is coming off a down year and has struggled to stay healthy, he would be an excellent addition to the Jaguars’ pass-rush rotation. The former UTSA Roadrunner can get after the quarterback, posting a 17.8 percent pass-rush win rate and a pressure percentage of 13.9, both top 20 figures in the league.
Davenport isn’t a one-trick pony though. He’s also adept at stopping the run, posting a Pro Football run grade of 82.1. The upside of signing him is that his injury history might prevent him from asking for a top-market contract. He could instead get a one-year, prove-it deal to show he can remain healthy and have a shot at hitting the open market again next offseason.