5 Jaguars players who could potentially be cap casualties in 2024

The Jacksonville Jaguars opted to take a conservative approach in free agency. Instead of making splash signings, they brought back their own players and looked for bargains across the board. One of the reasons they opted not to go into a spending spree was that they'll need to hand out several huge contracts in 2024.

Among the players the Jaguars will most likely extend next offseason are outside linebacker Josh Allen and wide receiver Calvin Ridley. On top of that, Trevor Lawrence, cornerback Tyson Campbell, safety Andre Cisco, and offensive tackle Walker Little will be eligible for new contracts in 2024.

The Jags are set to have around $37 million in cap room next offseason, which may not be enough to bring all (or most of them) back. That means they could trim down the roster in order to create more space. With that in mind, here are five players who could be cap casualties in 2024.

No. 5 Jaguars potential cap casualty in 2024: JaMycal Hasty, RB

The Jags found a gem when they picked running back JaMycal Hasty off waivers before the start of the 2022 season. Although he didn't get much playing time early, he became the primary backup behind Travis Etienne once James Robinson was shipped to the New York Jets.

But as important as Hasty was last year, he's seen his role decrease and is currently No. 4 on the depth chart. The former Baylor Bear was a healthy scratch the first three games of the season and has only played a total of six offensive snaps the past two games.

Hasty is set to make $1.57 million in 2024 but moving on from him would create $1.42 million in space with $150,000 in dead money. This, along with the fact that he plays running back, makes him an easy choice to be released next offseason.

No. 4 Jaguars potential cap casualty in 2024: Darious Williams, CB

Cornerback Darious Williams got off to a slow start to his stint with the Jaguars. However, he's established himself as one of the most consistent players in their secondary. An undrafted free agent in 2018, Williams spent time with the Baltimore Ravens and the Los Angeles Rams before signing a three-year deal worth $30 million with Jacksonville in 2022. At the time, the Florida native had several offers but ultimately chose the Jags because he wanted to return home.

Williams began the 2022 season in the slot and didn't fare particularly well. He was much better once he replaced Shaquill Griffin in the boundaries. Although he didn't register an interception last year, his 16 passes defensed led the team.

Knowing Williams was a much better fit in the perimeter, he started this season opposite Tyson Campbell. While he's had a few mistakes in coverage, he's also made a couple huge plays. In Week 4, he had a crucial pick 6 that helped Jacksonville extend their lead over the Atlanta Falcons. He then made a key interception that would have placed the Buffalo Bills on the Jags' 6-yard line if it had been completed.

All things considered, Williams is everything the Jaguars bargained for. But the team's brass may face a cap crunch next offseason and releasing him would free up $10 million in space with just $500,000 in dead money. While he's been without a doubt a valuable member of their secondary, Jacksonville could move on from him if they think one of their young corners (e.g. Montaric Brown) is ready to step up.

No. 3 Jaguars potential cap casualty in 2024: Cam Robinson, LT

Signing left tackle Cam Robinson to a long-term deal was one of the biggest moves general manager Trent Baalke made in 2022 Looking back, the decision made sense. Jacksonville wanted to have continuity at the position and ensure that Trevor Lawrence had his blindside protected. On top of that, inking Robinson sent a message to the rest of the team: Perform and you'll be rewarded.

The Alabama product wasn't necessarily a Pro Bowl caliber player but he established himself as a leader of the offensive line. Unfortunately, he suffered a meniscus injury that forced him to miss the last few games of the 2022 season. He was then suspended in the offseason for violations of the league's performance-enhancing drug policy.

The suspension lasted four games and Robinson returned at the right time. While Walker Little performed admirably in his place, he was moved to left guard and Robinson got his old spot back. Now, Robinson is set to remain at left tackle for the remainder of the year. However, his status beyond the 2023 season is not clear.

If the Jaguars' offensive line hadn't struggled so much before Robinson's return, he would've been a trade candidate before this year's deadline. But the team can still shop him in 2024. He's scheduled to count $21.6 million against the cap but releasing him or trading him would create $17.7 million in cap room with a reasonable $3.8 million in dead money.

Given the demand for left tackles in the league, the Jaguars should be able to find a potential trade partner. In the worst-case scenario, they can outright release Robinson and use the savings to give Walker Little a contract extension.

No. 2 Jaguars potential cap casualty in 2024: Zay Jones, WR

One of the Jaguars' biggest priorities in 2022 was upgrading the wide receiver corps. While DJ Chark Jr. was a fine receiver and even made the Pro Bowl in 2019, injuries robbed him of his effectiveness. Similarly, Laviska Shenault Jr. regressed after a promising rookie campaign. The front office spared no expenses and paid a premium for both Zay Jones (3yrs, $24 million) and Christian Kirk (4yrds, $72 million).

Early on, Trent Baalke got lots of flak for giving top-market contracts to receivers who hadn't produced. What many observers failed to see was that the Jags paid Kirk and Jones for the things they could do on their offense, not their past production. In the end, the decision paid off as both Kirk and Jones went on to post career numbers.

In particular, Jones proved his worth and came up in the clutch several times in the 2022 season. One play that comes to mind was his two-point conversion that helped the Jags beat the Baltimore Ravens.

Although Jones has been his usual self in 2023, a knee injury has hindered his production and forced him to miss three games. There's no doubt he'll eventually be back and pick up where he left off last year. That said, the Jags are stacked at wide receiver and if any of their young players make strides in the upcoming months, the top brass could choose to move on from Jones in 2024.

The former East Carolina Pirate is set to make an affordable $11 million next year but if the Jags find themselves scraping at the bottom of the barrel for cap space, releasing him would create $4.44 million with $6.56 million in dead money.

No. 1 Jaguars potential cap casualty in 2024: Brandon Scherff, LG

This might be the trickiest of all the entries on this list. Left guard Brandon Scherff made a name for himself with the Washington Commanders. A first-round pick in the 2015 draft, the former Iowa Hawkeye became a mainstay of the Commanders' offensive trenches. During his seven-year stint, he made five Pro Bowls and earned a First-Team All-Pro Designation. For this reason, the Jags didn't mind giving him a three-year deal worth $49 million when he became a free agent.

Scherff was named team captain in his first season with the Jags and got the distinction again in 2023. However, his on-field performance left a bit to be desired last year. Although he managed to play in all games — a feat he hadn't accomplished since 2016 — he didn't play at the same level he did back in Washington. In defense of Scherff, he dealt with an abdomen injury throughout most of the season and popped up on the Injury Report nearly on a weekly basis.

Now healthy, Scherff has turned the corner and has played at the level the Jaguars expected when they gave him a top-market deal. Barring any injury, he should continue to perform at right guard, but if he regresses, the Jags could decide to move on from him next offseason.

Scherff still has gas left in the tank but if Jacksonville he'll experience a decline next year, they could then release him and free up $9 million in cap space with $14 million in dead money. The downside of moving on from him is that he would leave a massive void at right guard. An alternative would be to give him a contract extension and lessen his cap hit for 2024.

The bottom line is that the Jags are better off keeping him around but if they need to create cap room, releasing him will become a possibility.

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