One big reason the Jacksonville Jaguars didn't take a big swing in free agency was that they weren't swimming in cap space. Sure, they locked up some of their own players, including cornerback Montari Brown, tight end Brenton Strange, and defensive end Travon Walker. However, most of the deals the Jags handed out were team-friendly and constructed in a way to give them flexibility.
Anyway, Jacksonville is still dealing with cap constraints, and the best way to free up space will be to release a few players. The team's brass could also restructure deals, but that would only push the money to future years.
Of course, the Jaguars would love to keep these five players but will need to make tough decisions to address the larger scale roster next year. With this in mind, here's a list of potential cap casualties in 2027.
5 Jaguars who could be cap casualties in 2027
Walker Little, Jaguars offensive lineman
Projected cap savings: $10.8 M, $4.6 M in dead money
Walker Little earned a three-year extension in 2024 but was benched in favor of Cole Van Lanen one year later. Van Lanen is now the right tackle, and Anton Harrison is the left tackle, leaving Little as the swing tackle.
There's no doubt that having an experienced veteran such as Little as the primary backup is huge. That said, $10 million a year for a non-quarterback backup is simply too much. The Jags probably don't have an in-house replacement for the former Stanford Cardinal but could look for one in the draft. Simply put, Jacksonville could better use that cap space to address other position groups.
Patrick Mekari, offensive guard
Projected savings: $13 M, $5.1 M in dead money
The Jaguars made an aggressive effort to beef up the offensive line in 2025, signing Patrick Mekari and Robert Hainsey in free agency. They later drafted Wyatt Milum, but of the bunch, only Hainsey has panned out. Meanwhile, Milum is a reserve while Mekari is unavailable because he's recovering from a back injury.
Of course, the Jags didn't plan for Mekari to get hurt, and injuries are an inherent part of the sport. That said, they simply haven't gotten enough bang for their buck. The veteran hog molly struggled in 2025 before suffering the back injury, and there's a chance he'll miss a significant part (if not all) of the 2026 season.
At one point, the team's brass simply needs to cuts its losses and accept that it didn't work out.
Jourdan Lewis, Jaguars cornerback
Projected savings: $3.3 M, with $9.4 M in dead money
Jourdan Lewis has become a mainstay of the Jaguars secondary. On top of that, he's become a prominent locker room voice. Jacksonville missed him late in 2025 when he dealt with a foot injury that forced him to sit out the last part of the season. The former Michigan Wolverine is back and once again has a big role. However, the Jags have depth at cornerback and could afford to move on from him.
Montaric Brown just got paid, Travis Hunter is taking on a full-time role, and Jarrian Jones can easily slide into the slot. Granted, you can never have too many cornerbacks, but roster needs may force Jacksonville to move on from Lewis in 2027.
Eric Murray, Jaguars cornerback
Eric Murray, like Jourdan Lewis, is an important piece of the Jacksonville secondary, with head coach Liam Coen previously praising the aggression he plays with. Having said that, the Jags are stacked at safety, with Caleb Ransaw and Jalen Huskey ready to step in his place if he leaves.
One reason the Jags could release Murray despite the fact that he's reliable is that he doesn't create many takeaways. Meanwhile, both Ransaw and Huskey have big-play capabilities. The top brass could easily cut ties with Murray to pave the way for either one.
Robert Hainsey, Jaguars center
Projected savings: $5.8 M, with $3.9 M in dead money
Like Eric Murray, Jourdan Lewis, and Patrick Mekari, Robert Hainsey landed in Duval in 2025. Out of the four, Hainsey has played the most games (17) for the Jags. From the get-go, he brought much stability at center, which is a bit impressive because he was benched in favor of then-rookie Graham Barton back in 2024.
In Jacksonville, though, Hainsey is firmly entrenched at center. On the other hand, the Jags are in dire need of space and have his potential heir apparent in Jonah Monheim. If the team's brass believes Monheim has made enough progress the past two years, moving on from Hainsey will be a realistic possibility.
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