The Jacksonville Jaguars address several needs and bolster several position groups in free agency. While they weren't able to keep wide receiver Calvin Ridley, their roster looks in much better shape than it did at the end of the 2023 season. The fact that they didn't have to overspend, makes the Jags' free-agency haul look even better.
Among the moves the Jags made, signing defensive end Arik Armstead was probably the best of the bunch. Even though he wasn't 100 percent last year, he still managed to register five sacks and 42 total pressures.
Similarly, Armstead is a force against the run and the San Francisco 49ers struggled to stop opposing teams from pounding the football when he missed time. In Jacksonville, the former first-round pick will give their interior defensive line a massive boost.
So how does the Jaguars' roster look after free agency? Here's an unofficial depth chart. Just keep in mind that they'll keep making changes in the draft and training camp, so a handful of players won't ultimately be on the team come Week 1 of the regular season.
Jaguars offense after free agency
Quarterbacks (2) Trevor Lawrence, Mac Jones
The Jags currently have three quarterbacks under contract: Trevor Lawrence, C.J. Beathard, and Mac Jones. They just traded for Jones in exchange for a sixth-round pick. With Lawrence firmly entrenched as the starter, Jones and Beathard will compete for the backup job but the former should have the edge.
The Jags will probably keep Beathard through training camp but they have only carried two quarterbacks the past two years. Expect them to move on from Beathard at some point before the start of the season.
Tight ends (4) Luke Farrell, Evan Engram, Brenton Strange, Josh Pederson
So far, there haven't been any changes to the Jaguars' tight end room. Evan Engram is No. 1 on the depth chart and the coaching staff will give 2023 second-round pick Brenton Strange a chance to beat Luke Farrell for the No. 2 job. A fifth-round pick in 2021, Farrell has developed into a reliable blocker but Strange has more upside.
Josh Pederson, son of head coach Doug Pederson, began last season in the practice squad but was eventually promoted to the active roster. Although he didn't get much playing time, he provided depth when Strange missed time. Jacksonville could still add a tight end in free agency or the draft. Either way, Pederson will need to compete for a roster spot in 2024.
Jaguars offense after free agency part II
Running backs (3) Travis Etienne, D'Ernest Johnson, Tank Bigsby
Travis Etienne is entering his fourth season in Jacksonville. Behind an improved offensive line, he should be way more productive than he was in 2023. D'Ernest Johnson, who returned on a one-year deal, will be RB2 behind Etienne during the offseason. However, Tank Bigsby will be given a chance to move ahead of him on the depth chart.
Bigsby is coming off an underwhelming rookie season but the Jaguars brass hasn't given up on him. They could add a running back on Day 3 in the draft to add competition but they may ultimately roll with Etienne, Bigsby, and Johnson in 2024.
Wide receivers (6) Gabe Davis, Zay Jones, Christian Kirk, Tim Jones, Devin Duvernay, Parker Washington
The Jags made a few changes to the wide receiver corps this offseason. Out are Calvin Ridley and Jamal Agnew, and in are Gabe Davis and Devin Duvernay. They could still add a receiver in Rounds 1 or 2 of the draft to replace Ridley. If they do, Jones could be on his way out.
Duvernay will be the team's top returner but could also see considerable playing time on offense. Also, Parker Washington should get an increased role in Year 2.
Offensive line (9) Cam Robinson, Ezra Cleveland, Anton Harrison, Walker Little, Mitch Morse, Luke Fortner, Brandon Scherff, Blake Hance, Cooper Hodges
One of the Jaguars' biggest acquisitions in free agency was veteran Mitch Morse, who'll compete with incumbent Luke Fortner for the starting job at center. Morse should be able to come on top. Also, the front office re-signed Ezra Cleveland to provide stability at left guard after arriving via trade last year.
On a related note, Jacksonville re-signed Blake Hance and restructured Brandon Scherff's contract to get a bit of cap relief. Tyler Shatley became a free agent and hasn't been re-signed. If he doesn't return, Cooper Hodges could compete for the top backup job inside.
Cam Robinson was seen as a potential cap casualty before free agency but he remains on the roster as of this writing. Barring any changes, he'll be the starting left tackle in Week 1, leaving Walker Little as the swing tackle.
Jaguars defense after free agency
Defensive line (6) DaVon Hamilton, Roy Robertson-Harris, Jeremiah Ledbetter, Arik Armstead, Tyler Lacy, Adam Gotsis
The Jaguars will probably be making the switch to a 4-3 defense under Ryan Nielsen. It will be interesting to see how the current personnel fit but Nielsen has enough pieces in place to run his scheme, especially after the addition of Arik Armstead who'll give the defensive front a huge boost.
DaVon Hamilton and Adam Gotsis could play defensive tackle like they did under Doug Marrone in 2020. Roy Robertson-Harris should also get a big workload, while Jeremiah Ledbetter, andTyler Lacy compete for playing time in the rotation.
With Armstead in the fold, drafting an interior defensive lineman in Rounds 2 or 3 is no longer a priority, but that shouldn't stop them from making upgrades at some point of the process.
Inside linebackers (4) Foyesade Oluokun, Chad Muma, Devin Lloyd Ventrell Miller
The Jags may revamp their linebacker corps next year, with Oluokun slated to hit the open market. For the time being, the only change is that Shaquille Quarterman became a free agent. Maybe Chad Muma will compete with sophomore Ventrell Miller for the No. 3 job.
Outside linebackers (3) Josh Allen, Travon Walker, Yasir Abdullah
Josh Allen is coming off a breakout season and Travon Walker posted double-digit sacks for the first time in his career in 2023. They give the Jaguars' a fearsome pass rush tandem but they don't have much depth behind them.
Yasir Abdullah and DJ Coleman could compete for snaps in training camp, but the team's brass should bolster their rotation in the draft. Having already addressed several needs, it wouldn't be shocking to see them go after one of the top prospects in the draft. Chop Robinson, Laiatu Latu, and even Dallas Turner may still be on the board when the Jags are on the clock at No. 17.
It's also worth noting that under Nielsen, Allen, and Walker could spend considerable time in a three-point stance rather than rush the quarterback from a standup position.
Jaguars defense after free agency part II
Cornerbacks (5) Tyson Campbell, Ronald Darby, Monatic Brown, Gregory Junior, Antonio Johnson,
This is the group that could experience the most changes in the upcoming months, especially if the Jags take a cornerback in Rounds 1 or 2 of the draft. The front office released Darious Williams and brought in Ronald Darby to potentially line up opposite Tyson Campbell.
Tre Herndon, who mostly manned the slot, left in free agency. Antonio Johnson stepped into his play and could once again handle nickel duty in 2024. Then again, he could also move to safety. The coaching staff will probably figure out his role in training camp.
Chris Claybrooks is also gone, so Montaric Brown and Gregory Junior will be the top backups for the time being.
Safeties (4) Darnell Savage, Andre Cisco, Andrew Wingard, Daniel Thomas
It seemed like the Jaguars were going to plug in Antonio Johnson opposite Andre Cisco after releasing Rayshawn Jenkins. However, they brought in a proven veteran in Darnell Savage who gives them flexibility in the defensive back end. With Savage in the mix, the coaching staff can leave Johnson in the slot or have him compete with Savage for playing time.
Andrew Wingard returns as the primary back and Daniel Thomas, who's back on a two-year deal, will mostly play special teams.
Jaguars special teams after free agency
Specialists (3) Riley Patterson, Ross Matiscik, Logan Cooke
Jacksonville brought in a familiar face in Riley Patterson. They tried to sign veteran Will Lutz in free agency but he backed down from a deal and returned to the Denver Broncos. Maybe the Jaguars will look for a kicker in the draft or add one afterward to compete with Patterson.
Regardless of who's the kicker in 2024, punter Logan Cooke and long-snapper Ross Matiscik are back and have a roster spot pretty much guaranteed.