You have probably heard that more isn't always less, but the Jacksonville Jaguars were the exception to the rule. Needing to fill several roster holes, they added several players in free agency. While they refrained from making splash signings, the Jags no longer have many glaring holes. In fact, Benjamin Solak of ESPN took a look at their haul and liked what he saw.
Solak put together an NFL power ranking and placed Jacksonville at No. 19, pointing out that the big signings it made give them ample cap and roster flexibility.
"The return to competency. The best thing bad teams can do in free agency is get veteran starters who will plug immediate gaps and raise the floor of the team. Both Mekari and Hainsey can be starters, though neither of them signed a big-enough deal to be handed the job if draft picks are suddenly outperforming them. Both Brown and Lewis were signed to deals large enough that they should be impactful starters, but not so large that they'll debilitate the cap if they underperform. This is exactly how a new front office should reload a roster."
On the other hand, Solak doesn't like that the Jaguars prioritized adding depth at tight end and the signing of Dyami Brown. To be clear, he didn't mind that he got a one-year, $10 million contract but rather that he doesn't deem his deep-threat capability necessary due to the presence of 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year finalist Brian Thomas Jr.
It's worth noting that the rankings were based solely on the moves every club made in free agency. Anything that happened before or afterward didn't count. And in case you were wondering, the Tennessee Titans landed at No. 27 and the Houston Texans ended up just one spot later. Surprisingly, the Indianapolis popped up at No. 16, earning the highest place among AFC South.
Circling back to the signings Solak highlights, Patrick Mekari and Robert Hainsey will tentatively start at right guard and center, respectively. But the way their contracts are structured, Jacksonville has the financial flexibility to move on from either one if the front office finds upgrades in this year's draft or next.
On the other hand, Jourdan Lewis will have a featured role but it's not a given that he'll replace Jarrian Jones in the slot. In fact, general manager James Gladstone has made it clear that both cornerbacks can line up either inside or outside and give the coaching staff ample flexibility.
Related story: AFC South Post-Free Agency power rankings
The Jaguars need to keep loading up on talent in the 2025 NFL Draft
Winning free agency hardly ever leads to success in the regular season. Having said that, the Jacksonville Jaguars put themselves in a position to compete in Liam Coen's first year as a head coach after undergoing a roster overhaul. However, they still have their work cut out if they want to enjoy sustained success. That's why nailing the 2025 will be of the utmost importance.
Having already raised the roster floor, the Jags can take several routes on Days 1 and 2 to bolster virtually any position group. In no particular order, they could add a wide receiver, beef up the offensive line, fortify the trenches, or select a cornerback at No. 5 and focus on other needs in Rounds 2 and 3.
In the first round, Jacksonville could go with Mason Graham, Travis Hunter, or Abdul Carter, and most fans would approve. Heck, they could pick either Armand Membou or Will Campbell, move him to guard, and call it a day. As unsexy as that scenario would be, it would still make sense based on the emphasis the team's brass has put on fortifying the line of scrimmage.
Ultimately, the Jacksonville Jaguars did enough in free agency to get Benjamin Solak's seal of approval. However, they'll need to come out of the haul with a promising haul and win plenty of games in 2025 to have a chance to compete in the AFC South and get widespread praise across the league.