3 extremely early free agents the Jacksonville Jaguars must target in 2025

It's extremely early in the 2024 NFL season to tell how things will play out for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Maybe they'll bounce back. Perhaps they'll crumble. But regardless of how good (or bad) they turn out to be, the Jags are poised to have several needs next year.

The front office gave long-term extensions to Trevor Lawrence, defensive end Josh-Hines Allen, and cornerback Tyson Campbell in the offseason. That means that they'll have a limited budget in 2025. As of this writing, they're slated to have $16.7 million in cap space. That won't be nearly enough to go into a spending spree.

That said, general manager Trent Baalke could look for ways to create space by either restructuring a few contracts or releasing a few players. That would allow the Jaguars to pursue a handful of free agents next year. The next three should be on their radar.

The Jaguars must go after CB Paulson Adebo in 2025

Keep in mind that the free-agent market will look completely different than it does right now. Already, several teams have gotten to work and locked up players who were scheduled to hit the open market.

Among the players who were supposed to become free agents but will remain with their respective teams are Dak Prescott, Brandon Aiyuk, and Creed Humprey. Still, there will be no shortage of appealing choices in the open market. One of them will be cornerback Paulson Adebo.

A third-round pick by the New Orleans Saints in 2021, Adebo has low-key become a key cog in The Big Easy. He's off to a hot start to 2024, giving up five receptions for 35 yards on 10 targets in the opener. Other cornerbacks will be in higher demand because of name recognition but the former Stanford Cardinal should also be a hot commodity in the open market.

One reason Jacksonville would be an ideal destination for him is the presence of Ryan Nielsen, his defensive coordinator in 2022. The Jaguars already locked up Tyson Campbell and signed Ronald Darby earlier this year, which would give them pause on targeting Adebo.

However, Darby isn't the long-term answer at the position, and the team's brass can release him in 2025 without incurring a massive cap hit. By moving on from the veteran cornerback, they would pave the way for Adebo.

The Jaguars must go after pass rusher Matt Judon in 2025

Matt Judon got into a contract impasse with the New England Patriots in the offseason. They couldn't find common ground, which led to his trade to the Atlanta Falcons. The veteran defender says he doesn't expect to get a new deal because he doesn't think he's done enough with his new team to earn one. That said, he'll get a chance to raise his stock this season.

One reason Judon didn't get the extension he wanted in Foxboro was that he suffered a bicep injury in 2023 that limited him to four games. Add the fact that he's 32 and it's understandable why the Patriots didn't cave in to his contract demands. But despite his age, the Grand Valley State product has enough gas left in the tank to make an impact the next few years.

The Jaguars already have a dominant pass-rush tandem in Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen but they could use a No. 3 in their rotation. Rookie Myles Cole has upside but Judon could give the group an immediate boost.

Back in 2022, Judon posted 15.5 sacks. The year prior, he logged 12.5. He can certainly play and it would make sense for the Jaguars to bring him aboard to turn their pass rush from good to great.

The Jaguars must go after RG Trey Smith in 2025

Brandon Scherff was one of the biggest acquisitions for the Jaguars in 2022. However, he's no longer the Pro Bowler he was with the Washington Commanders and is set to become a free agent next year. It's hard to see him returning to Jacksonville given that he's 32 and if he leaves, Trey Smith becomes a legitimate option to replace him.

A sixth-round pick in 2021, Smith has given up a total of eight sacks the past three years, two last year. After giving center Creed Humphrey a top-market to keep him from leaving, the Kansas City Chiefs may not be able to afford Smith.

Granted, signing Smith won't be cheap but it will be worth it. The interior offensive line has been one of the biggest issues the Jaguars have had lately and the former Tennessee Vol would help them address it.

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