4 pressing priorities for Jacksonville Jaguars GM Trent Baalke in 2024
1. Start locking up the Jaguars 2021 draft class
It's never too early to get your players under contract, and the Jaguars should strongly consider giving new contracts to their 2021 draft class. While they can pick up the fifth-year option on Trevor Lawrence's and Travis Etiene's respective contracts, cornerback Tyson Campbell, offensive lineman Walker Little, and safety Andre Cisco are all scheduled to become free agents in 2025.
If the Jags think Little is the long-term answer at left tackle, they should then trade Cam Robinson and pave the way for him. But if they want to keep Robinson around, they'll have to then rework his deal. He will count $21.1 million against the cap in 2024. Keeping both seems unlikely, so the front office will need to add depth at offensive tackle if they end up moving on from either one.
When it comes to Andre Cisco, he's managed to stay mostly healthy after coming out of college with medical red flags. Maybe the prospect of sliding to the third round motivated the former Syracuse Orangeman to give it all in the NFL. Over the last two seasons, he's solidified his spot as a key cog in the Jaguars' secondary and an ascending star in the league. It would make sense to extend him before he has a true breakout season.
Having said that, the most interesting decision of the bunch will be Tyson Campbell. He was on his way to becoming a top-10 cornerback in the league in 2022. However, he dealt with injuries that forced him to miss time and hindered his performance last year. Add the fact that he may not be an ideal fit in Ryan Nielsen's man-heavy defense and he could be shown the door in 2025.
Maybe the Jags will take a wait-and-see approach with Campbell but his situation will be certainly worth keeping an eye on.