3 free agents Jaguars GM Trent Baalke can sign before training camp

The Jaguars should consider signing DE Yannick Ngakoue before training camp

If you give the Jaguars' defense a look, you won't find a glaring weakness. Having said that, their pass rush could use a boost. Josh Allen is coming off a banner season while Travon Walker made strides in 2023. The issue is that there aren't any enticing options behind them.

Free-agent addition Trevis Gipson had seven sacks in 2021 but only four the past two years. He's a candidate to bounce back but the front office would be better off adding depth in case he doesn't.

Roy Robertson-Harris is another option. He will probably spend time on the edge next season but that shouldn't stop Jacksonville from adding a pass rush specialist to fortify their rotation. A familiar face comes to mind, Yannick Ngakoue.

A third-round pick in 2016, Ngakoue was a mainstay of the Jaguars' defense his first three seasons. However, he was shipped out of town in 2020 after engaging in a contract dispute. The former Maryland Terrapin has since spent time with the Minnesota Vikings, the Baltimore Ravens, the Las Vegas Raiders, and the Chicago Bears.

Last year, Ngakoue went unsigned for several months. At the time, he was aiming at joining a contender but ultimately landed with the Bears, who were far from one. A highly productive player throughout most of his career, the Washington D.C. native logged a career-low four sacks in the Windy City.

Maybe it wasn't a good fit, but regardless of the reason, Ngakoue could benefit from a fresh start. He would get it in Duval. You could make the case that he left on less-than-ideal terms. However, there's a new regime in place, one that has shown an affinity for rewarding their own players.

Perhaps Ngakoue could sign an incentive-laden deal. If he's still a productive pass rusher, he'll cash in. If he doesn't, signing him would be a low-risk move for the Jaguars.

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