The Jacksonville Jaguars are doing a good job of re-signing their own players. They already extended defensive tackle Travon Walker, and either wide receiver Parker Washington or tight end Brenton Strange could be next. However, the Jags cannot keep everyone.
Aside from Washington and Strange, other prominent players are entering contract years, and some of them won't return in 2027. A local beat writer came up with one who will probably leave next year.
The Jaguars may cut ties with DaVon Hamilton after drafting Albert Regis
Gus Logue made an appearance on Club 904 and stated that DaVon Hamilton could be entering his last season with the Jaguars, pointing out that rookie Albert Regis could make him expendable.
"This is a tough one because I just love the player so much, but I think DaVon Hamilton, the writing is on the wall for him to exit," Logue told host Mia O'Brien (17:19 mark). "The way that we just talked about the 88th overall pick going in for a guy whose contract might be upcoming soon. 81st overall pick Albert Regis might take over for DaVon Hamilton, who is also entering a contract season. And Hamilton has always been a great run stopper."
Logue continued, "It's especially impressive that he's continued to be a great run stopper and continued to play up to his pre-injury standards, even after he went through that scary offseason back injury. But at the same time, he's fairly highly paid, and I think that the Jaguars, the way that they're hoping that Pregnon develops and makes the current starters expandable, or at least, they can let them go, so they can spend money elsewhere, etc."
For context, Hamilton suffered a back injury before the 2023 regular season. He eventually got an infection, and it got so bad that he was nearly paralyzed.
In the end, though, Logue says that it could all come down to whether Regis progresses as a rookie.
"And so I think they're hoping that Regis develops and plays well enough in his rookie season that they can let DaVon Hamilton walk without really having to worry too much about it, because they've got Regis holding down the future starting job," Logue said.
Hamilton is the only remaining pick from Jacksonville's 2020 draft class. He signed a three-year extension worth $34.5 million just before the draft. The former Ohio State is coming off a strong season, but his future in Duval is in doubt after the team's brass traded for Ruke Orhorhoro and later drafted Regis.
Why the Jaguars could move on from DaVon Hamilton in 2027
There's no doubt that DaVon Hamilton excels against the run, but he leaves a bit to be desired as a pass rusher. And that's the thing, the Jaguars have had trouble bringing the heat from the interior, so they could be looking for a player who does a better job of rushing the quarterback. Heck, that was one of the reasons Jacksonville acquired Ruke Orhorhoro.
But even if Hamilton has a career year, the Jags will probably move on from him. That's what they did with Travis Etienne and Devin Lloyd in free agency, even though they were playmakers last year.
In fact, the only scenario where Hamilton stays would be if both Orhorhoro and Regis fail to make an impact last year. And even then, Jacksonville may be better off bringing in external help in either free agency or the draft.
The bottom line is that DaVon Hamilton has been a fine player since the Jaguars drafted him in 2020, but barring something unexpected, he could be entering his last season in Jacksonville.
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