4 players who could follow Wink Martindale if the Jacksonville Jaguars hire him as DC
![New York Giants defensive coordinator Don \"Wink\" Martindale on the field for mandatory minicamp at](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_3936,h_2214,x_0,y_184/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images%2FImagnImages%2Fmmsport%2F55%2F01hmn6bzrvz6kjfh24hc.jpg "New York Giants defensive coordinator Don \\"Wink\\" Martindale on the field for mandatory minicamp at")
The Jacksonville Jaguars haven't hired a defensive coordinator nearly two weeks after dismissing Mike Caldwell. That's not necessarily a bad thing when you take into account that there are several qualified candidates for the position, and the organization wants to ensure they end up with the best of the bunch.
Among the coaches the Jags have zeroed in for the opening is former New York Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale, who met with the top brass either Tuesday or Wednesday, according to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated. It's hard to tell how the interview went but if Martindale ultimately gets the job, he may want to bring in some of his guys. After all, cooks should get a say in what groceries are bought to make dinner, right?
If Martindale gets to choose which players Jacksonville should go after in free agency, these four pending free agents could follow him to Jacksonville.
4. A'Shawn Robinson, defensive tackle
Defensive tackle A'Shawn Robinson doesn't enjoy widespread recognition around the league but that's not for a lack of talent. A second-round pick by the Detroit Lions in 2016, Robinson spent three seasons with the Los Angeles Rams before joining the G-Men last year. He isn't particularly great at bringing the heat — he last recorded a sack in 2021 — but he's stout against the run, an area in which the Jaguars struggled down the stretch last year.
Robinson's numbers won't pop off the stat sheet, but he's been serviceable throughout his career. If Jacksonville decides to pursue him in free agency, they won't have to break the bank for his services. Last year, he signed a one-year deal worth $5 million to join the Giants. The Jags could make him a similar offer in free agency.
Locking up Robinson would come in handy, especially if Folorunso Fatukasi is a cap casualty. Fatukasi is set to make $12.8 million in cap space. Releasing him would leave $9.26 million in dead cap but it would also free up $3.5 million in space.