4 worst free-agent signings under Jaguars GM Trent Baalke

2. Shaquille Griffin, cornerback (2021)

The Jaguars wanted to retool their roster in 2021 without paying top-market money. This strategy made sense when you take into account that they had plenty of needs on both sides of the ball. The trouble with the approach is that they ended up bringing in good-not-great players. One of them was cornerback Shaquill Griffin.

When Griffin signed with the Jags, cornerback was one of their biggest needs. Having made the Pro Bowl in 2019, he looked like a good fit. Looking back, his first season in Jacksonville wasn't necessarily bad, especially when you factor in the Urban Meyer debacle. In a year in which not many things went right, the former UCF Knight routinely showed his leadership skills. More often than not, he would show face and meet with the local media after a loss.

On the field, Griffin gave up a respectable 11.8 yards per reception and a career-low three touchdowns at that point. Expected to be even better once Doug Pederson took over in 2022, the Florida native suffered a back injury in the offseason that hindered his performance and eventually landed him on Injured Reserve.

Griffin was given the boot after the 2022 season and spent 10 games with the Houston Texans before getting released. He joined the Carolina Panthers near the end of 2023 but failed to do much of note. Had he been a depth move, nobody would've questioned the Griffin signing but the Jags gave him a three-year deal worth $44.5 million and didn't get a solid return on their investment.