The Jacksonville Jaguars entered the offseason with clear needs on both sides of the ball. Last year, they opted for a conservative approach and focused on building the roster throughout the draft. While the plan made sense on paper, it didn't work in practice, as the Jags didn't get much production out of their rookie class, outside of a couple picks.
Fast forward to 2024, and most of the holes Jacksonville needed to fill remain unaddressed. The interior offensive line should be at the top of their to-do list. Last season, they couldn't give Trevor Lawrence enough time to throw or open lanes for the running game. The team's brass should also find a No. 3 pass rusher behind Travon Walker and Josh Allen.
But as important as checking off these two boxes is, there are other not-so-clear needs the Jaguars will need to take care of in the offseason. These three, in particular, stand out.
3. The Jaguars must add depth to their receiver corps
Re-signing Calvin Ridley will be one of the biggest storylines surrounding the Jaguars in the offseason. But even if they bring back the Alabama product, they will still need to bolster their wide receiver group. Their dearth of depth at the position was exposed when Zay Jones missed time, failing to find someone who could step in his place during his absence. Something similar happened when Christian Kirk sat out the last four games of the season.
When Jones was out, Jamal Agnew and Tim Jones filled in for him. The former is set to become a free agent and it's uncertain if bringing back is in the team's plans. Also, Tim Jones is a serviceable player but there was a noticeable dropoff when he was on the field. Using an early or even a mid-round pick at the position would make sense.
It's worth noting that Zay Jones could be a cap casualty. He's coming off a down year and is set to make $11 million in 2024. If the Jaguars cut ties with him, they could create $4. 44 million with $6.56 million in dead money. If that's the path they take, they'll then need to find his replacement in free agency or the draft.
2. Safety
The Jaguars have had a stable safety group the last two years. Besides having a couple of starters in Rayshawn Jenkins and Andre Cisco, they have a serviceable backup in Andrew Wingard. Also in the fold was special-teams ace Daniel Thomas. While Cisco is a lock to remain in the starting lineup next season, Jenkins could be a cap casualty.
The former Miami Hurricane signed a four-year deal worth $35 million in 2021. So far, he's had one outstanding season (2022), mixed with an underwhelming one (2021), and a solid one (2023). He's set to count $12.284 against the cap in 2024, but the Jags can free up $5.1 million in space with $7.1 million in dead money if they release him. If they decide to move on from him and let Thomas hit the open market, they would then need to bolster the position.
Antonio Johnson, who showed promise in his rookie campaign, could be an in-house replacement for Jenkins. In nine games last year, he tallied two interceptions, one forced fumble, three passes defensed and one sack. However, the former Texans A&M Aggies is also an option to line up at nickel if incumbent Tre Herndon doesn't return next season.
If Johnson stays at nickel, where he lined up the most, the Jaguars would need to look for someone to line up next to Cisco in either free agency or the draft. Regarding Thomas, bringing him back wouldn't be cost-prohibitive, but he underwent forearm surgery at the end of the year, so the top brass' may want to invest a mid or late to add insurance at the position.
Overall, safety isn't a pressing need for the Jaguars heading into the offseason, but they'd better off making changes before it becomes one.
1. Offensive tackle
Even though the Jaguars didn't have adequate depth on the interior offensive line last year, they had a surplus at offensive tackle. Cam Robinson served a suspension to start the season but the team didn't miss a beat with Walker Little filling in for him.
Although then-rookie Anton Harrison didn't miss a game, Little could've also stepped in at right tackle if needed, having taken reps at the position in 2022's training camp. That said, it's hard to see Jacksonville keeping the three next season due to cap constraints.
Robinson is entering the last year of the three-year contract he signed in 2022. All the guarantees on his deal were void by the suspension, so the Jags could free up $17 million in cap space with just $3.8 million in dead money. Trading him seems like a reasonable course of action but there's also a scenario in which they'll keep him and deal Little instead.
A second-round pick in the 2021 draft, Little has shown starting potential when called upon. He might even have a higher ceiling than Robinson, which makes him an enticing trade option. He's entering the last year of his rookie deal, and if the Jags rather keep Robinson, they could shop Little around.
Whether the Jaguars part ways with Little or Robinson, they would need a new swing tackle. There will be a few affordable options in free agency, such as Jermaine Eluemunor or Mike Onwenu. An alternative would be to use a mid-round pick of the position.
In a perfect world, the Jaguars would like to keep both Little and Robinson. They could make it work out by giving Robinson an extension, but they may want to lock up Little early if they think he's the longer-term answer at the position. Either way, the Jaguars will probably need to add depth at offensive tackle this offseason.