3 players who could follow Chris Hewitt to Jacksonville Jaguars if they make him DC
1. Jadeveon Clowney, edge rusher
Last offseason, defensive end Jadevon Clowney spent several months sitting at home waiting for teams to give him a call. The Jaguars got in touch with him and hosted him for a visit but ultimately opted not to sign him. The Ravens had previously shown interest and when he left Jacksonville without a deal, they quickly swooped in to sign him.
Looking back, that was one of the best decisions they could've made, as the former No. 1 overall pick went on to have one of the best seasons of his pro career, registering 9.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. All Baltimore had to pay was $2.5 million (with $6 million in incentives). Money well spent, all things considered. Now, the Jaguars will get another chance to sign him.
As productive as Clowney was in Baltimore, it's hard to see him returning, given that they need to ink other players, including Justin Madubuike. That said, Jacksonville will probably have to fork out more than the Ravens did last year, with the former Gamecock proving he's still got plenty of gas in the tank.
Even though Clowney won't command top-market money, he could ask for something along the lines of $10 million, the amount he got from the Cleveland Browns in 2022. He would be worth it though. Last year, Josh Allen and Travon Walker consistently wreaked havoc at the line of scrimmage, containing the edge and registering a combined 27.5 sacks between the two.
Despite the presence of Walker and Allen, the Jags need a third pass rusher to round out their rotation. K'Lavon Chaisson had that role last year but it looks like his stint in Jacksonville will come to an end when he becomes a free agent in 2023. The team's brass will have several options in free agency or the draft to bolster their pass rush. Clowney should most definitely be one of them.