Although it wasn't the kind of move that gets the spotlight, the Jacksonville Jaguars finally made their first external signing when they gave former Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez a two-year deal.
Rodriguez had limited playing time in Washington but still managed to show playmaking skills, racking up 500 yards in 13 games with seven starts. Now, he gives Jacksonville a dynamic backfield tandem alongside Bhayshul Tuten.
Having added reinforcements at running back, the Jaguars will need to continue to address their needs. They could check that box by locking up a player who last suited up for the Detroit Lions.
The Jaguars need to target DJ Reader in free agency
While plenty of players have already found a home to start free agency, defensive tackle DJ Reader remains available. This may be due to the fact that he's 31, but his production with the Lions should leave no doubt that he can help several teams, including the Jags.
Right now, defensive tackle is arguably the Jaguars' biggest need, and Reader could offer an immediate fix. A fifth-round pick in 2016, he spent the last two seasons in Detroit. Before that, he played for the Houston Texans and the Cincinnati Bengals.
Spotrac has a market valuation of $3.9 million for Reader. He may command a bit more, but even then, it doesn't look like it would be cost-prohibitive to lock him up. As of this writing, Jacksonville is $1.1 million over the cap, so the team's brass would need to create space to sign him.
Either way, signing Reader isn't the kind of move that will propel the Jaguars to the Super Bowl but will most definitely add stability at defensive tackle.
And that's the thing, opposing teams had no trouble running through the middle when they faced the Jags. Some of that was due to the fact that they lacked a playmakers in the interior trenches. While Reader is far from an All-Pro, he can collapse the pocket, commanding double teams on a consistent basis.
In Jacksonville, the former Clemson Tiger would round out a rotation that includes Arik Armstead, DaVon Hamilton, Maason Smith, and Matt Dickerson, who returned on a one-year deal.
What other options do the Jaguars have aside from DJ Reader?
With A'Shawn Robinson joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, DJ Reader may be the best option remaining in the open market for the Jags. But if he doesn't impress them, they will then have to trade for Jalen Carter or wait until the draft to address the position.
The truth is that it all depends on how many resources the Jags want to allocate at defensive tackle. If they don't mind giving up draft capital to acquire Carter, he will probably be their best option. On the other hand, the Jags don't need draft ammo to sign either Reader or Robinson, and both of them are proven commodities.
Of course, Jacksonville could also wait until the draft to add a defensive tackle. Lee Hunter is a trendy target at No. 56, but Darrell Jackson Jr. offers an intriguing alternative in Round 3.
The Jaguars have no shortage of options to address the interior defensive line, so they have no excuse to make upgrades, even if they pass on D.J. Reader.