Jacksonville Jaguars 2023 free agency predictions: RT Jawaan Taylor walks

3. The Jacksonville Jaguars won’t re-sign DE Arden Key

The downside of revamping their roster last offseason is that the Jaguars won’t have enough space to bring back key players in free agency. The team’s brass signed defensive end Arden Key to a one-year deal last year and he went on to become an important piece of their front seven.

Key got off to a slow start in his career, logging just three sacks for the Las Vegas Raiders in his first three NFL seasons. The former LSU Tiger was waived in 2021 and quickly latched on with the San Francisco 49ers, where he had a breakout season.

Despite the fact that Key didn’t start a single game during his stint in the Bay Area he logged 6.5 sacks and entered free agency as an ascending player. Although he could have signed with the Kansas City Chiefs, he opted to join the Jaguars instead because he wanted the challenge that came with it.

Key’s flexibility to line up at several spots across the line scrimmage gave defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell the flexibility to deploy him in different ways. The Georgia native finished the 2022 season with 4.5 sacks and 20 total pressures on 41 percent of the team’s defensive snaps.

Defensive lineman Javon Hargrave will be one of the top players available in free agency. Teams that aren’t able to secure his services could turn their attention to Key, who will be a more affordable option, so expect him to have a robust market.