The Jacksonville Jaguars have emphasized that they want to put their players in better position to win and one way they could start that process is by moving linebacker Myles Jack back to the outside. The former 2016 second-round pick struggled mightily at the spot last season, acquiring a Pro Football Focus grade of 46.1.
For him to make his return to outside linebacker, the Jags will need a new inside linebacker to warrant the move. With the inside linebacker position being one of the hardest to learn, they may prefer a veteran free agent there instead of a rookie out of the draft. Here are three options who could be on the open market for them to acquire:
Cory Littleton – Los Angeles Rams
With him being so young at 26 years of age, Cory Littleton is exactly the type of free agent the Jags like to target. He’ll be coming off a 2019 campaign where he acquired a solid Pro Football Focus grade of 78.9 after racking up 134 combined tackles, good for ninth in the league. He also had a coverage grade of 90.6 over the past two seasons and that’s the part of his game that would greatly benefit them. In fact, the only two players to have a better grade in the department were Lavonte David and Luke Kuechly.
Unfortunately, his age and skills could make him too high in price for the Jags’ blood. Our comrades at the Rams Wire believe he could command a contract similar to Jack’s (four-years, $57 million with $33 million guaranteed). Though the Jags could set him up with a reasonable cap hit for 2020, they may be more enticed by a significantly cheaper option on the open market or free agency to avoid another hefty contract at the position.
Joe Schobert – Cleveland Browns
According to Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot, the Cleveland Browns won’t be able to retain Joe Schobert, who could be eying a deal worth $10 million a year. If that’s true, a lot of fans feel like the team would be losing a key player as he’s been quite productive during his four seasons, racking up 408 combined tackles (15 of which were tackles for loss), 8.5 sacks, six interceptions, and seven forced fumbles.
With experience as a field general for Cleveland, Schobert would be an ideal option to come in and help a young linebacking corps that lacks star power. He’s started in 49 games while in Cleveland and for the most part it shows as he’s quick at recognizing plays. He’s not quite the athlete Littleton is but would be an upgrade for the Jags’ defense without a doubt. Like Littleton, the question is rather or not he’s too high for the Jags’ price range (at least at the position), though.
Blake Martinez – Green Bay Packers
Blake Martinez could be in the same boat as Schobert as it was reported that he could be looking for a similar type deal worth at least $10 million annually. He is also like Schobert in terms of experience, starting in 57 games over the course of four years and accumulating 512 total tackles with 29 of those being for loss.
The reason the Packers could be moving on may not be just because of the price, but also because of his like of sideline-to-sideline speed. However, he does offer the ability to get things done between the tackles and could help the Jags make more downhill plays against the run.
Again, like Schobert, the Jags have to ask themselves if Martinez is worth the cost or would they just be better off finding a cheaper more athletic option.
Nick Kwiatkoski – Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears recently re-signed Danny Trevathan to a three-year deal worth $21.75 million in base value, which means he’ll be re-inserted into their defense as the starter again after going on injured reserve last December. That also means the player who temporarily replaced him, Nick Kwiatkoski, will want to find a new team where he can continue to be a starter.
Kwiatkoski started in eight games last year for the Bears with Trevathan having issues staying healthy. In the process, he faired well accumulating a PFF grade of 72.6 while also accumulating 51 solo tackles. The more I evaluate him the more I like him as far as instincts and finding the ball goes. The 26-year-old was a former safety before entering the pros and it shows as he registered a 68.7 coverage grade, which is better than a lot of options on the team and on the open market.
Kwiatkoski is probably the player on the list who would cost the least if the Jags want a veteran. Maybe a deal similar to that of Benardrick McKinney (five-year with $21 million in guarantees) is one the Jags may be able to afford for the young linebacker.
