The Jacksonville Jaguars realized that if they wanted to compete in 2025, they had to make upgrades to the roster. They went into free agency with that goal in mind. Based on the end result, it looks like they accomplished it. And while the Jags opted not to target big-name players, they recently got praise for the signings they made.
Gilbert Manzano of Sports Illustrated included Jacksonville on his list of the most improved teams after free agency, pointing out that they went after "underrated players who could end up being some of the best bargains signings of 2025."
When it comes to the offense, Manzano liked the signing of Dyami Brown, pointing out that his speed will give the Jaguars passing game a much-needed boost:
"Brown, a ’21 third-round pick, turned a corner in the postseason, often winning at the line of scrimmage to be a few steps ahead of his defenders. Brown and stud wideout Brian Thomas Jr. could be a dangerous downfield duo for quarterback Trevor Lawrence. "
A third-round pick by the Washington Commanders in 2021, Brown was mostly a non-factor in his first three NFL seasons. However, he put it all together last year and played a key role in his team's trip to the NFC Championship. Aside from the fourth-year speedster, Manzano thinks Jacksonville did a good job fortifying the trenches by signing center Robert Hainsay and offensive guard Patrick Mekari but believes they must keep beefing up the offensive line.
"Hainsey proved to be a reliable center for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during his first season as a starter. But the Jaguars should continue prioritizing the offensive line in the draft in case Mekari is better suited as an offensive tackle and guard Ezra Cleveland is unable to recover from a rocky 2024 season. "
Regarding the defense, Manzano argues that Jacksonville acquired a versatile player in cornerback Jourdan Lewis but thinks that the defensive line also needs reinforcements.
In case you were wondering, the other teams Manzano listed were the Denver Broncos, the Chicago Bears, the New England Patriots, and the Chicago Bears.
Related story: Updated cap space and draft picks for the Jaguars after 2025 NFL Free Agency
The Jaguars had to be aggressive in free agency because they were bad in 2024
Of the five teams on the list of free agency winners, only one made the playoffs last year: The Washington Commanders and the reason they loaded up in free agency is that they believed they're in a position to make a run for the Super Bowl. The fact that they have quarterback Jayden Daniels in a rookie contract allowed them to go into a shopping spree.
Granted, the Denver Broncos went 10-7 but they were third in the AFC West last year. They had to make upgrades to the roster if they wanted to keep up with the Kansas City Chiefs and the Los Angeles Chargers.
Meanwhile, the New England Patriots, the Chicago Bears, and the Jacksonville Jaguars had to make as many signings as they could because their respective rosters weren't good. Moreover, all three teams changed coaches in the offseason.
The Jags specifically would like the build to the draft. General manager James Gladstone has said as much but is also aware that the team needed to improve the roster floor. He pulled it off and did it without having to break the bank. That most definitely deserves praise, especially when you take into account that the Houston Texans have made a handful of questionable moves.
Having said that, the Jaguars will truly find out how good they become until they take the field. For the time being, it seems like they're operating with a sense of urgency and a clear direction. This is encouraging when you take into account that the past regime hardly ever did.
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