Tee Higgins and 4 other big-name free agents the Jaguars players must target in 2025

For the past two years, there's been chatter about Tee Higgins landing with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The biggest reason is that he would reunite with Trevor Lawrence, his quarterback at the collegiate level. A potential trade would have made sense because the Cincinnati Bengals weren't willing to give the former Clemson Tiger a long-term extension and the Jags had a need a need at the position.

Speculation about Jacksonville potentially trading for Higgins decreased when the Bengals exercised the fifth-year option on his rookie deal. However, he's slated to become a free agent next year, and Cincy doesn't seem to be in a rush to give him a new deal. That would allow the Jags to pursue the 2020 second-round pick without having to give up any kind of compensation for him.

Higgins has been highly productive during his stint in Cincinnati, appearing in 66 games with 59 starts and hauling in 302 receptions for 4,265 yards with 29 touchdowns. He could give the Jaguars a one-two punch at receiver opposite Brian Thomas Jr., who's having an impressive rookie season.

Even after signing left tackle Walker Little to a three-year deal worth $45 million, Jacksonville will have around $46 million in cap space. That would be enough to make a run for Higgins. Then again, he may not be the only player slated to become a free agent that the Jags should go after in 2025.

With that in mind, here are other pending free agents aside from Higgins that the Jaguars should pursue in free agency next year.

Chris Godwin, wide receiver

One reason the Jaguars may not want to keep pouring resources into their wide receiver room is that they gave Gabe Davis a three-year deal worth $39 million in free agency. So far, the signing hasn't paid off, but whether it pans out or not, that shouldn't deter the front office from bringing in additional weapons to Trevor Lawrence's arsenal.

Chris Godwin is a bonafide No. 1 receiver whose 2023 season was cut short due to an ankle injury. But before that, he registered over 1,000 yards for three straight years and four overall since 2019.

Given that Godwin is coming off a season-ending injury, he may not have a market as big as Tee Higgins and may need to settle on a one-year deal. If that's the case, the Jaguars shouldn't lock him up.

DJ Reed, cornerback

Wide receiver isn't the only need the Jaguars will need to address next year. Heck, you could even make the case that cornerback is a bigger priority. If Jacksonville wants to find a starter opposite Tyson Campbell in free agency, they cannot do worse than DJ Reed, who's become a staple of the New York Jets secondary.

There will be other corners in the open market. Paulson Adebo and Charvarius Ward are among the most prominent ones, but Reed is arguably the best of the bunch. He said earlier this year that the ball is in New York's court, but so far, he hasn't gotten a new contract, so there's a chance he'll be available in the open market next year. His numbers may not pop off the stat sheet, but he could fill a crucial hole and allow the Jags to address other needs in free agency.

Khalil Mack, edge rusher

The Jaguars signed Arik Armstead to play on the edge despite the fact that he's more efficient lining up inside. It looks like the coaching staff has noticed and has had him defensive tackle more frequently in recent weeks. One way they could make sure he stays on the interior is to sign edge rusher Khalil Mack in 2025.

Mack has been one of the most dominant edge rushers in the league since the Las Vegas (then Oakland) Raiders drafted him in 2014. Even though he dealt with several injuries early in the late 2010s, he's bounced back and reclaimed his place as one of the best pass rushers in the league since joining the Los Angeles Chargers in 2022.

Trey Smith, right guard

Maybe because it's an interior position on the offensive line, but the Jaguars' need at right guard doesn't seem to be discussed nearly enough. While Brandon Scherff has become a mainstay in the trenches since signing with Jacksonville in 2022, he's set to become a free agent next year and hasn't been nearly as dominant as he was during his stint with the Washington Commanders.

Perhaps the Jags can bring Scherff back and look for his potential heir apparent in the draft, but if they take the free-agency route, they should then target Trey Smith. Since joining the NFL in 2021, he's given up just nine total sacks and none this season. On top of that, the former Tennessee Vol has surrendered just 23 total pressures in 2023 and is on pace to set a new career low.

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