The Jacksonville Jaguars need to make reinforcements to the defense this offseason. They will have several options at safety and cornerback in free agency and have the cap space to make a big signing or two. That said, it looks like the Jags may have trouble landing some of their preferred targets if the Carolina Panthers are as aggressive as Jeremy Fowler of ESPN foresees.
Fowler recently shared a list of things he heard at the NFL Scouting Combine and expects the Panthers to make a run for big-name players, pointing out that they could go after safeties Jevon Holland and Camryn Bynum. On top of that, they could target Milton Williams, who will be one of the top defensive tackles available in the open market. Here's the skinny.
"Expect the Panthers to be seeking big-name players in free agency. I think Carolina could be in on the top safeties --Jevon Holland, Camryn Bynum, etc. -- and might be one of the teams willing to spend big to lure defensive tackle Milton Williams away from the Super Bowl champion Eagles. The Panthers will also look to add edge rush help, with Chase Young being one of the intriguing options there."
The Panthers exceeded expectations in 2024, winning four games in the second half of the season to go 5-12. Their strong finish could incentivize them to make a couple of big swings in free agency. They currently have around $29 million in space, which isn't much even after the increase to the cap ceiling.
That said, Carolina could free up as much as $48 million if they release some players and restructure a few contracts. Either way, it seems like their current dearth of space won't prevent them from pursuing some of the top players in free agency.
That isn't great news for the Jaguars, as they could also be looking to make upgrades to the defense in free agency. In particular, they'll need to address the safety position if Andre Cisco walks. This currently appears to be the most likely scenario.
The Jaguars may need to outbid the Panthers for Javon Holland
The Jacksonville Jaguars may not go after Cam Bynum in free agency given his price tag. Spotrac projects him to sign a contract that pays him an average of $17.7 million per year. That will probably exceed their budget. Moreover, there's a chance he won't even make it to the open market, as he and the Minnesota Vikings have a mutual interest in getting a long-term deal done. Having said that, the Carolina Panthers could go after another safety the Jags may be interested in.
Cameron Wolfe of NFL Media reported in February that Jacksonville wants to fortify the defense in free agency, and Miami Dolphins safety Jevon Holland could be on their radar. That could be an issue if the Panthers make a run for him.
Jaguars defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile knows Holland from his days as the Dolphins linebackers in 2021-2023. While he didn't directly coach him, the safety appears to hold Campanile in high regard, raving about him getting the job in Jacksonville.
Of course, it's not a given that Andre Cisco will leave, or that the Jags will pursue Holland. But if they do, they will need to compete with Carolina for Holland's services. Working in their favor is his familiarity with Campanile. Then again, the Panthers could make him an offer he cannot refuse.
The bottom line is that the Jacksonville Jaguars will have a chance to get better in free agency, but may need to spend a bit more than they'd like if they find themselves needing to outbid other clubs for the players they want.