The Jacksonville Jaguars aren't off to a great start to the offseason. Already, they've gotten scorn for not getting in touch with outside linebacker Josh Allen and his representatives to begin contract negotiations. But even if they manage to right the ship and give Allen an extension, the Jags still have several decisions to make. One of the biggest ones will be choosing the best course of action to free up cap room.
Jacksonville currently has around $14 million in space, and that won't be nearly enough to re-sign players or make signings in free agency. While the team's brass will try to restructure a few contracts, they'll also have to outright release a few veterans to get relief. The next four could be among those who get the boot.
4. Zay Jones, wide receiver
Zay Jones was a game-changer in his first-season with the Jaguars, setting career bests for receiving yards and catches. His impact was in full display when he caught the game-winning two-point conversion in the amazing win over the Baltimore Ravens. Unfortunately, Jones wasn't able to contribute as much in 2023 due to a PCL injury that forced him to sit out several games.
But even when Jones suited up, he wasn't his old reliable self, finishing the year with a measly 34 receptions for 321 yards with two touchdowns. While there's a reason to believe he could bounce back and put up similar numbers to the ones he had in 2022, he could also be a cap casualty.
Zones is set to count $10.752 million against the cap in 2023 but releasing him would create $4.183 million in space with $6.5 million in dead money. That could tempt the team's brass to part ways with him. The downside of releasing the former East Carolina Pirate is that they would create a need at receiver, without any viable options to replace him on the roster right now.
Add the fact that Calvin Ridley is also set to hit the open market and the Jaguars may want to hold onto Jones. Still, they won't rule out releasing him.
3. Rayshawn Jenkins, safety
The best way to describe safety Rayshawn Jenkins's stint with the Jaguars is inconsistent. Sure, it's better than being disappointing or unremarkable but Jacksonville would've surely wanted him to be a bit more reliable. Make no mistake, the former Miami Hurricane made huge plays in 2022. His forced fumble in the finale led Josh Allen to score the game-winning touchdown. Similarly, Jenkins' pick-6 against the Dallas Cowboys was a thing of beauty.
However, Jenkins wasn't nearly as dominant last year. Sure, he picked off Lamar Jackson but he wasn't all over the field as he was in 2022. It's also worth noting that he was underwhelming in his first season with the Black & Teal. Besides not making any big plays at all, he was ejected from the San Francisco 49ers game after punching wide receiver Jauan Jennings. He was named team captain that year. Yet, he failed to lead by example.
Fast forward to 2024 and the Jaguars will need to make a decision on him. Jenkins isn't a bad player per se. You could even make the case he was their best signing in 2021, when he inked a four-year deal worth $35 million. That said, the front office will need to choose whether they'll pay him the $12.5 million he's set to make next season. Moving on from him would create $5.4 million in space with $7.13 million.
Given that the Jags have more pressing needs than safety, they may feel inclined to part ways with Jenkins. Add the fact that they already have his potential replacement in place, sophomore Antonio Johnson, and he'll be at the top of their "cut candidates" list.
2. Brandon Scherff, right guard
The Jaguars made several signings in 2021 but none of them fell into the splash category. Instead, they looked for bargains and depth in the open market. However, they took a whole different approach the following year, sparing no expenses when it came to locking up the best talent available. One of the players they managed to land was right guard Brandon Scherff. It wasn't cheap, they had to fork out a $45.5 million contract but it wouldn't have mattered as long as he solidified the interior offensive line.
Scherff's deal didn't seem particularly outrageous when you look at his resume. A first-round pick in 2015, the former Iowa Hawkeye made the Pro Bowl five times and earned a First-Team All-Pro designation during his seven-year stint with the Washington Commanders. It's fair to assume the Jags expected him to have similar production with them. But they were also aware that he came with injury red flags.
Since 2016, Scherff hadn't played a full season, dealing with all kinds of ailments along the way. Surprisingly, he hasn't missed a game in Jacksonville. On the other hand, he hasn't been nearly as dominant as he was in Washington. He dealt with an abdomen injury through most of 2022 but if he managed to stay healthy in 2023, there was no reason to believe he could play at a Pro Bowl level. He didn't. He wasn't bad but he wasn't great either.
That wouldn't be an issue if Scherff were a younger player with room for growth. He isn't. Instead, he's a grizzled veteran whose best years may be behind him. Add that his performance doesn't reflect his salary and he's a candidate to get his walking papers. He's entering the last year of the contract he signed in 2021, and the Jags could free up around $9 million if they release him.
While Scherff has been a leader in the trenches and a team captain the past two years, the Jags must be wondering if they can get similar or better production at the position from a free agent or a draft pick in 2024.
1. Cam Robinson, left tackle
Left tackle Cam Robinson is one of the longest-tenured players on the Jaguars' roster. While NFL careers have a short span and it's the norm to see teams experience turnover year in and year out, it's a bit surprising to see Robinson, along with Dawuane Smoot and Tyler Shatley, last as long as he has. And that reflects well on him.
Robinson outlasted a pair of head coaches (Doug Marrone and Urban Meyer) and the man who drafted him (Dave Caldwell). However, his tenure in Jacksonville could come to an end in 2024. He's set to have a massive cap hit of $21.1 million next season but they could free up $17.2 million with just $3.8 million in dead money if they move on from him. Simply, the team's brass might not want to pass on the chance to get that much breathing room, even though the team looked completely different when the Alabama product was on the field last year.
After the season ended, Robinson made it clear that he would love to stay in Jacksonville, and the Jaguars would most definitely benefit from keeping him around. While he's not a Pro Bowl talent, his mean streak would be sorely missed. On the other hand, the Jags have options at the position. Walker Little, a second-round pick in 2021, has played well when called upon. He could be the long-term answer at the position.
Also, Anton Harrison, who moved to the right side as a rookie, could play left tackle — his natural position — again. When you consider that the Jaguars have too many holes to plug in the offseason, releasing (or trading Robinson) may be the best course of action.