Jaylen Waddle deal a reminder the Jaguars are getting bang for the buck at WR

The Jacksonville Jaguars aren't afraid to pay a premium to land a free agent or keep one of their playmakers. On the other hand, they've been able to build a well-rounded receiver corps without having to overspend. Just a couple years ago, the Jags became somewhat of a laughingstock because they gave top-market contracts to Zay Jones and Christian Kirk. Looking back, they got a bargain and should be commended for how they've managed the receiver unit.

Just recently, the Miami Dolphins gave 2021 first-round pick Jaylen Waddle a three-year deal worth $84.75 million with $76 million guaranteed. For comparison, Kirk signed a four-year, $72 million agreement. Granted, they're different players and Waddle plays mostly in the boundaries, not in the slot like Kirk.

Having said that, Jacksonville has put together a talented receiver corp without having to overspend. In free agency, they signed Gabe Davis to a three-year, $39 million contract. Not long after, they released Zay Jones. And while they lost Calvin Ridley, they drafted Brian Thomas Jr. 23rd overall.

It hasn't been released how Waddle's contract will be structured, but based on the annual average, he'll be getting nearly as much ($28.5 million) as Kirk ($24.2 million) and Davis ($4.7 million) combined in 2024. So basically, the Jaguars are paying their top two receivers as much as the Dolphins are forking out for Waddle.

Make no mistake, Weedle is a playmaker who deserves to get top-market compensation. In fact the Jags were high on him in the 2021 draft. However, the Kansas City Chiefs have proven that you don't have to allocate too much money to the wide receiver position to win championships. Although Tyreek Hill was on their first Super Bowl team, the Chiefs have won two more since trading him to Miami.

Coincidentally, the Dolphins now have the third and fourth highest-paid receivers in the NFL. Will that result in Super Bowls, that remains to be seen but you could make the case that they could be better off investing that money somewhere else.

Letting Calvin Ridley walk shows the Jaguars are salary-cap conscious

After trading for Calvin Ridley in 2022, the Jaguars wanted to keep him long-term. Despite the fact that he was coming off a one-year hiatus, the Alabama product logged 1,016 yards and eight touchdowns on 76 catches. He made it clear he wanted to stay in Jacksonville but the Tennessee Titans ultimately lured him away with a four-year deal worth $94 million.

The Jaguars could've matched the Titans' offer if they wanted but instead let Ridley walk and used the money to sign defensive end Arik Armstead. Leaving aside that locking up Armsted addressed a massive need, the front office was able to find an affordable replacement — with lots of upside —when they drafted Brian Thomas Jr.

Thomas will make around $14 million spread over the next four years. If he lives up to his draft billing the Jaguars will have gotten a bargain. Then again, one big difference between their roster-building strategy now and 2022 is that Jacksonville has an established nucleus. Back then, they were pretty much building the receiver position from scratch. At the time, they needed to make an investment to add talent. Now, they have to routinely shuffle pieces.

The bottom line is that the Jaguars may have done a few bad deals over the past few years but they have most definitely done a good job managing the receiver position.

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