5 players set to become free agents that can fix the Jaguars top needs in 2024

2. Tee Higgins

Heading into the 2023 season, it looked like wide receiver was going to be a position of strength for the Jaguars but that hasn't been the case. Christian Kirk picked off where he left off last year but he had his year cut short by a core injury. The offense hasn't been the same without him but that's mostly because the team hasn't been able to adjust to his absence.

Zay Jones has also been held back by injuries and hasn't been nearly as productive as he was last year, when he set career highs for but catches and receiving yards. Then, there's Calvin Ridley, whom the front office traded for last year. Ridley was expected to give Jacksonville a bonafide WR1 that would take the passing game to the next level but hasn't reached that level.

Make no mistake, Ridley has been good but not great, and he's set to become a free agent next year. If the Jags give him an extension, they'll then need to give the Atlanta Falcons a second-round selection in 2024 as part of the deal they made to acquire him. If they let him walk, it will be a third.

The Jags should consider letting Ridley leave and use that second-round pick to address other needs. They could then use the money that would otherwise go into paying Ridley to sign Tee Higgins, who's well acquainted with Trevor Lawrence going back to their Clemson days.

Higgins was one of Lawrence's top targets in college and he would be a great addition to the Jaguars' offense. Even though Ja'Marr Chase remains the No. 1 wideout in Cincinnati, Higgins has made a name for himself, hauling in 251 receptions for 3,525 yards with 23 touchdowns the past four seasons.

While bringing back Ridley is also an option, there's no denying the benefits of keeping that second-round pick while bringing in someone who's already developed a rapport with Trevor Lawrence.