JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — With the most available cap space of any team in the NFL, the Jaguars were expected to begin free agency with a flourish.
It didn't happen Monday, the first day NFL teams could begin contract discussions.
But on Day 2, the Jaguars landed one of the top available cornerbacks — former Seattle Seahawks cornerback Shaquill Griffin.
NFL Media reported that Griffin's deal with the Jaguars is three years, $44.5 million, including $29 million guaranteed.
A former UCF star and Florida native, Griffin has six career interceptions after four seasons in Seattle, including a career-high three in 2020 playing as the team's No. 1 corner. In 2019, Griffin made the Pro Bowl as an alternate after having 13 pass breakups and 65 tackles in 14 games.
Griffin's twin brother is Shaquem, who the Seahawks drafted in the fifth-round in 2018 as a linebacker. The Griffin brothers, who played together at UCF, could be reunited with the Jaguars because the Seahawks did not tender Shaquem as a restricted free agent.
Shaquem posted on his Twitter account that he was going home after his agent, Buddy Baker, tweeted ''Duval.''
In Jacksonville, Shaquill Griffin will be paired with cornerback CJ Henderson, the Jaguars' first-round pick in 2020, to strengthen their secondary that allowed 264.4 yards passing per game last season, the sixth-highest in the league this season.
The cornerback position in 2019 was unsettled because of injuries. The Jaguars signed cornerback Greg Mabin during Week 12 after Tennessee waived him, and he ended up starting four of the final five games. Rookie Chris Claybrooks, a seventh-round pick in 2020, was projected to emerge mainly as a kickoff returner but started four games at cornerback.
Until Griffin's agreement, the Jaguars' expected big splash in free agency appeared to be on hold despite having $73.8 million in available cap space.
With top talent like tight ends Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry, pass rushers Matt Judon, Dalvin Thomlinson, Shaq Barrett, Bud Dupree, and Carl Lawson going elsewhere, it appeared the Jaguars' top incentive in free agency was to plug their roster holes without the benefit of landing elite caliber talent.
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Going into Day 2 of the free agency negotiating period, the Jaguars had agreed to terms with nine free agents. Potential starters include former Chicago Bears defensive end Roy Robertson-Harris, former Los Angeles Chargers safety Rayshawn Jenkins and former Baltimore Ravens defensive end Jihad Ward, who agreed to terms on Tuesday.
Although Meyer said a week ago, their tight end room needed to be rebuilt, the Jaguars didn't land Henry or Smith, who were considered the top two available free agents.
Both signed with the New England Patriots. It's not known how aggressively the Jaguars pursued Smith or Henry. Smith agreed to a four-year, $50 million to join the Patriots. Henry agreed to a three-year, $37.5 million contract with New England on Tuesday morning.
The Jaguars agreed to terms with former Carolina Panthers tight end Chris Manhertz to a two-year, $7.25 million, including $4.25 guaranteed, according to the NFL Network.
Manhertz has 12 career catches for 142 yards and one touchdown after five seasons.
Like they did with backup offensive guard/center Tyler Shatley and defensive end Dawuane Smoot on Monday, the Jaguars re-signed cornerback Sidney Jones IV. He started six of nine games last season for Jacksonville and had a career-high nine passes defended, along with two interceptions, 25 tackles, and one forced fumble.
Prior to joining the Jaguars last season, Jones played his first three seasons in the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles.
