The Jacksonville Jaguars are doing their best to avoid a repeat of 2023. After several needs in free agency, they followed it up with a promising 2024 NFL Draft. However, they could still use some help at a handful of position groups.
Some of the players the Jags drafted could end up stepping up and filling some of the remaining roster holes. That said, the front office should err on the side of caution and add a handful of veterans before the start of the season. The following five would make sense. Most of them are potential cut or trade candidates following the draft.
5. Irv Smith Jr., TE - Chiefs
Tight end isn't a need for the Jaguars right now, but that doesn't mean they cannot add other players to the group. Evan Engram is entreched as the starter and Brenton Strange is expected to make a leap in Year 2. No. 3 on the depth chart is the dependable Luke Farrell, a blocking specialist who can catch a few passes if needed. Last but not least is Josiah Deguara, who signed a one-year deal in free agency.
Last year, Jacksonville carried three tight ends into the regular season but that's mostly because seven receivers made the original 53-man roster. In 2022, they kept four tight ends, so it wouldn't be shocking to see them repeat the formula next season. Engram is a lock and so is Strange, but the third and fourth spots could be open for competition in training camp.
Farrell should be the favorite by virtue of having spent the last three seasons with the Jags. However, Irv Smith Jr. could challenge Deguara and Josh Pederson for the No. 4 slot. While Deguara has the flexibility to line up at several spots across the offensive line, Smith is an arguably better pass-catcher.
Smith had a career-low 18 receptions for the Cincinnati Bengals in 2033 but averaged 30 catches and three touchdown per season during his three year-stint with the Minnesota Vikings. At worst, he would provide competition at the position.
4. Marshon Lattimore, CB - Saints
Cornerback Marshon Lattimore has been seen as a potential trade candidate since the end of the 2023 season. One big reason is that the New Orleans Saints adjusted his contract to potentially facilitate a trade. However, he remains in The Big Easy following the 2024 NFL Draft.
Trading for Lattimore or pursuing him if he's given his walking papers would make sense for a couple reasons. First, cornerback remains a need. Even though the team's brass signed Ronald Darby and later drafted Deantre Prince and Jarrian Jones, the position remains a work in progress.
Another reason to take a flyer on Lattimore is that he would be reunited with defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen. Even though Nielsen only coached the defensive line early in his stint with the Saints, he became the co-defensive coordinator in 2022.
Coincidentally, Lattimore didn't give up a single touchdown that year and allowed a career-best 10.8 yards per reception. Nielsen left in 2023 but the veteran corner had another productive season, giving up just one touchdown and 11.7 yards per catch.
Granted, the Saints say that they're not actively trying to trade Lattimore but that doesn't mean they're not entertaining calls. All it takes is the right compensation, and the truth is that the longer they wait, the lower the offers will only get lower.
3. James Bradberry, CB - Eagles
If New Orleans does keep Marson Lattimore, the Jaguars could then target James Bradberry. The Philadelphia Eagles identified the cornerback position as a weakness, so they double dipped in the draft, taking Quinyon Mitchell and later Cooper DeJean. That potentially makes Bradberry the victim of the numbers game.
A second-round pick in 2016, Bradberry spent his four NFL seasons with the Carolina Panthers. He then played for the New York Giants for two years and joined the Eagles in 2022. He got an extension last offseason but he wasn't particularly great, surrendering 12.3 yards per reception and nine total touchdowns.
Maybe Bradberry could benefit from a change of scenery and he could get it in Jacksonville. If the Jags are willing to kick the tires on him, he could be a low-risk, high-reward addition.
2. Treylon Burks, WR - Titans
Wide receiver Treylon Burks got the spotlight because the Tennessee Titans drafted him in 2022 to replace A.J. Brown. Then head coach Mike Vrabel went viral for failing to hide his displeasure. Looking back, Vrabel's reaction made sense, as Burks has left much to be desired.
In 22 games, Burks has hauled in 49 receptions for 665 yards with one touchdown. The Titans surely expected more than that when they invested a first-round pick in him. However, it looks like they're ready to pull the plug on him. The Arkansas product could very well be their WR3 on their offense but the addition of Calvin Ridley (remember him?) doesn't bode well for him.
Ridley and DeAndre Hopkins will be the top two options in the Titans' passing game. That could create favorable matchups for Burks, but if Tennessee feels like they've seen enough, the Jaguars should pouch him. It's possible that he's simply not good enough to make it in the NFL but what if all he needs is the right situation? It wouldn't hurt Jacksonville to find out.
1. Terrace Marshall, WR - Panthers
Like Treylon Burks, Terrace Marshall could be a reclamation project. A second-round pick in 2021, Marshall has failed to stand out during his three-year stint with the Carolina Panthers. Last year, he only tallied 19 receptions for 139 yards with no touchdowns.
Not surprisingly, the Panthers chose to revamp their wide receiver corps to ensure sophomore quarterback Bryce Young has enough weapons to succeed. First, they traded for Diontae Johnson and later drafted Xavier Legette. Add the presence of veteran Adam Thielen and there may no longer be room for Marshall.
Heck, Marshall requested a trade last year but found out that there wasn't a huge target for his services. Maybe Carolina latched onto him hoping they would get an offer for him during draft week but they didn't. Having restocked their wide receiver room, they could be ready to part ways with the former LSU Tiger.
In Jacksonville, Marshall wouldn't need to have a feature role. Instead, he could provide depth while he tries to hone his skills and rebuild his stock. Who knows? Maybe he can enjoy a career revival with the Jags.