Due to 2018 not going as planned and a lot of cap shaving to be done, the Jacksonville Jaguars are probably up for one of the most difficult offseasons in the league. With free agency coming up, their first task will be to sort through their 25 pending free agents, 18 of which will be unrestricted and seven of which will be restricted or exclusive rights free agents come March.
Here are three in particular we think they should let walk and find cheaper replacements for through the draft or free agency:
WR Donte Moncrief
Moncrief was one of the Jags’ several big-time signings (one-year deal for $9.6 million) from last offseason that hit them deep in the pockets, but simply didn’t pan out. With them losing out on Allen Robinson last March, it appears the team wanted a veteran with a similar skill set, however, the production simply didn’t match that of Robinson as he finished with just 48 receptions for 668 yards and three touchdowns. That’s a total that which wasn’t even good for first on the team as Dede Westbrook led the team in receiving with 66 catches for 717 yards and five touchdowns.
All that considered, it’s hard to envision the Jags bringing back Moncrief in 2019 for many reasons. For starters, D.J. Chark will be more experienced this upcoming season, and as the team’s second round pick of 2018, one would think the team has big plans for him. Additionally, there are other free agents or rookies who could give the Jags a 670 yard season like Moncrief if not Chark, minus the hefty price tag.
Guard A.J. Cann
Cann is a player who most would put atop their list of Jaguars who should be allowed to walk being that he hasn’t really shown the growth the you’d hope for out of a four-year starter. And while he was able to register a career high 72.6 grade via Pro Football Focus in 2016, it hasn’t been pretty outside of that season.
Despite 2018 being a contract season, Cann registered a 60.6 grade this past season which was a career low. In the process he gave up 42 total pressures and eight sacks, which definitely didn’t leave a good lasting impression on the Jags who pride themselves on sound play in the trenches. For that reason, they could look to the draft for replacement because the free agency class is weak at the position.
RB T.J. Yeldon
Despite him racking up nearly 500 yards as a receiver, it’s a strong bet that Yeldon’s time is up with the Jags, especially after Tom Coughlin called him out Week 16. Additionally, the veteran may be able to garner a decent market and the Jags would be smart to spend their limited cap space elsewhere.
When the Jags drafted Yeldon in the second-round of the 2015 draft, they probably thought he’d turn out to be a starter, but his up and down career as a rusher turned them to Leonard Fournette in 2017. That said, a No. 2 back shouldn’t be extremely difficult to find as some teams have found No. 1 caliber backs in round three or later as the New Orleans Saints and Kansas City Chiefs did in 2017 when the drafted Alvin Kamara and Kareem Hunt.
