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Grading all Jaguars moves, including the Arik Armstead signing, in free agency

• The Jaguars have had a frutiful free-agency period. Here are the grades for all the moves they've made thus far.

By Carlos Sanchez

Dec 11, 2022; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive end Arik Armstead (91)
Dec 11, 2022; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive end Arik Armstead (91) / Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
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Daniel Thomas, safety/special teams

2-year deal, $4 M

Daniel Thomas, a fifth-round pick in 2020, flashed potential as a rookie before an arm injury cut his season short. He has not started a game since 2022 but has become an important contributor on special teams.

With Darnell Savage, Andre Cisco, and Andrew Wingard in the mix, don't expect Thomas to get much playing time on defense. That said, he provides invaluable depth on special teams.

Grade B

Jeremiah Ledbetter, defensive end

1-year, $1.7 M

Defensive end Jeremiah Ledbetter joined the Jags in 2022. He landed in the practice squad to start the season but was eventually promoted to the active roster. With DaVon Hamilton missing time, he turned into a key piece in their defensive line rotation, playing at least 10 snaps every game.

There's no guarantee Ledbetter will be on the roster come Week 1 but signing him gives them insurance if sophomore Tyler Lacy fails to take a step forward in Year 2.

Grade: B-

Darnell Savage, safety

3-year, $21.5 M

Signing Darnell Savage raised a few eyebrows. It's not that he's a bad player. Rather, safety wasn't a pressing need for the Jags. Having just released Rayshawn Jenkins, they could've easily plugged Antonio Johnson in next to Andre Cisco in 2024.

Savage isn't great at defending the run but he excels in coverage. While the Jags didn't have to overspend to acquire him, they could've addressed other needs with the money they spent on him.

Grade: C

Blake Hance, OL

1-year, undisclosed

Injuries exposed the Jaguars' depth on the offensive line, forcing Blake Hance to take on the football field. He wasn't particularly great but that's to be expected from a third-string player. That said, he fared well enough to convince the team's brass to bring him back.

Hance will likely need to compete for a roster spot, but he gives Jacksonville a solid alternative in case they fail to add an offensive lineman in the draft or sophomore Cooper Hodges fails to develop.

Grade B

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