3 veteran receivers the Jaguars can still sign to juice up WR corps

The Jacksonville Jaguars have already added a couple of established receivers in free agency, but there are a few names out there they may consider adding.

Having Gabe Davis gives them a deep threat with playoff experience, while Devin Duvernay is a former two-time Pro Bowler and First-team All-Pro who has made a name for himself in the return game. While they should each be solid contributors next season, if you're a Jags fan, there is reason to want the club to do more.

The Jaguars receiving corps ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft

As things stand, the Jaguars have a solid group of pass catchers.

Newly married Christian Kirk will likely be Trevor Lawrence's go-to guy, Gabe Davis will allow them to go vertical more often, and Zay Jones has been a nice secondary option. Evan Engram is technically a tight end, but he was more of a receiver to Lawrence in 2023 as a new home has rejuvenated his career. Parker Washington filled in nicely when called upon in 2023, so he might have a more significant role in the offense next season.

There are plenty of dependable guys for Lawrence to throw to, but when you compare what Jacksonville's AFC South rivals have done, the Jags receivers seem like minnows.

Houston has two superstar pass catchers in Tank Dell and Stefon Diggs, while the Titans nabbed Calvin Ridley. Meanwhile, the additions to the Jags' receiving crew are guys who've been depth pieces wherever they’ve played before, including Gabe Davis.

The Jags have a chance to lock up some receivers who've not been super productive in recent years but have proven in the past they can be marquee pass catchers. Let's explore three receiving options the Jaguars should consider before or after the draft.

Odell Beckham Jr.

It's unsurprising to see Odell Beckham's name still being discussed on the free agents list. He's not had a 1,000-yard season through the air since his first year in Cleveland in 2019, but he's also rarely been healthy over the past few seasons.

Beckham is a three-time Pro Bowler and a Super Bowl champion with the Rams, though he got injured in the big game. Although we haven't seen many flashy, highlight-reel catches from him recently, he played 14 regular season games with the Ravens last year, helping them claim the No. 1 seed.

In 2023, Beckham averaged 16.1 yards per catch, a career-high, and had over 500 yards receiving (565), which was his best statistical campaign in that department since 2019 (1,725).

Many may think his best years are behind him, but if healthy, he's still got something to give. Spotrac lists his current market value at $11.9 million but given he's still available he may settle for less.

I don't know if that's too rich for this team's blood, but one of the other appeals of having Beckham is that he rarely drops passes thrown his way, with a 0.07 drop rate in 2023.

Marquez Valdes-Scantling

The NFL career of Marquez Valdes-Scantling has been filled with highs and lows. One of his most appealing qualities is that he has two Super Bowl rings from his time with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Whether you're a marquee guy in those wins or in the background, having some championship pedigree and being part of a winning culture is valuable. Like many Chief receivers last season, Valdes-Scantling had issues with drops and had a career-low 315 yards receiving during the regular season.

That said, he stepped up in the AFC Championship Game, making a big grab for 32 yards late in that ball game, which allowed them to run out the clock. He also had a touchdown grab in their Super Bowl triumph over the San Francisco 49ers.

The 29-year-old made over $6 million guaranteed in 2023, but I'd be surprised if he gets any offers like that during the offseason.

Michael Thomas

Michael Thomas is another name that has barely been talked about but would be a great addition. Thomas has not played a full season since being named the AP Offensive Player of the Year in 2019. However, he still puts up strong numbers.

He had 448 receiving yards, averaging 11.5 yards per catch in 2023, slightly lower than the 11.6 he had in his 2019 First-team All-Pro campaign.

According to Spotrac, Thomas hasn't dropped more than one pass in each of the past three seasons and hasn't fumbled in that span. He has a market value of $9.2 million and, if healthy, is a veteran presence with a lot of upside, even at 31.

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