3 Jaguars impending free agents who need to be brought back, 2 who should walk

2. The Jaguars need to let Dawuane Smoot walk in free agency

Defensive end Dawuane Smoot is the lone remaining member of the celebrated Sacksonville defense that helped the Jaguars reach the AFC Championship in 2017. However, his days in Jacksonville could be numbered. A third-round pick in 2017, Smoot turned into a reliable contributor. In 2020, injuries to the rest of the defense pushed him into a featured role but he's been more effective as a part of a rotation.

From 2019-2022, Smoot posted 22.5 sacks. Unfortunately, he tore his Achilles near the end of the 2022 campaign. Despite the injury, the Jaguars were confident that he would make a full recovery, so they gave him a one-year deal worth $3.5 million. Smoot would eventually return to the lineup but he didn't have the impact the team expected, registering just one sack and 10 total tackles.

In his defense, Smoot may not have been 100 percent healthy and may need another offseason to get to full strength. That said, the Jaguars could have much better alternatives in free agency if they want to upgrade the pass rush.

Last year, Josh Allen and Travon Walker accounted for 27.5 of the team's 40 sacks. They'll need much better production from their No. 3 pass rusher if they want to consistently bring the heat in 2024.

While another one-year deal to bring Smoot back makes sense, there's an equal chance he'll leave in free agency. There's no doubt he's been a reliable contributor in the past. The fact that he's outlasted the two previous regimes goes to show how high the Jaguars think of him. But at this stage of his career, his production may not warrant a new deal.