After the regular season, we evaluated the Jacksonville Jaguars’ top needs and it’s now time to re-evaluate them with free-agency coming up. Some important things have changed since then as A.J. Bouye was traded and Yannick Ngakoue told the team that he doesn’t want a deal from them.
With these key events taking place in the Jags’ timeline, here are the Jags’ needs as free-agency closes in:
7. Wide receiver
Receiver initially looked like a strength for the Jags after free-agency last season, but after the season unfolded, it became clear they needed help there alongside Pro Bowler D.J. Chark. The second-year receiver from Louisiana State led the team in receiving yards registering just over 1,000 with eight touchdowns and the next receiver behind him was Chris Conley, who registered 775 yards.
The biggest issue with Conley and those behind Chark like Westbrook and Cole has been drops and consistency over the last few years. That said, they need to head into this offseason looking for a bonafide No. 2 receiver, especially when considering the team will be likely releasing veteran Marqise Lee as a cap casualty.
The draft may be the best route to address this as the Jags could have a shot at Jerry Jeudy, CeeDee Lamb, or Henry Ruggs early in the first-round and a shot at others like Justin Jefferson, Laviska Shenault Jr., and Denzel Mims late in the first or early in the second. There are other options later in the draft like Antonio Gandy-Golden, K.J. Hill, and Van Jefferson.
6. Quarterback
The Jags almost certainly won’t be drafting a quarterback early as they seem to really like Gardner Minshew II. That much became somewhat clear as rumors surfaced around the league about the possibility of the team looking to trade Nick Foles.
In a scenario where Foles isn’t on the roster this offseason, which is something that isn’t hard to envision, the Jags will need some competition behind Minshew to battle Joshua Dobbs. Justin case Minshew isn’t the answer past 2020, it might be wise of the Jags to draft a developmental quarterback like they did with him. That way in 2021, the developmental option may be ready to step in and contribute.
Washington State’s Anthony Gordon and Missouri’s Kelly Bryant are two names that come to mind who could be available after the fourth-round.
5. Defensive line help
With the potential of Ngakoue being traded and Marcell Dareus’ contract option not being picked up, the Jags undoubtedly need help in the defensive trenches. Add in the fact that Calais Campbell isn’t getting any younger and it appears they really could use some help in the interior more than on the outside (which is still a concerning need, too).
One of the most mocked players to the Jags with their first pick is Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown, and rightfully so. He’d be a tremendous help for them as they need a space-eater in the middle. When Dareus was placed on injured reserve, the Jags were gashed up the middle with the run and Brown certainly would help address that issue.
South Carolina Javon Kinlaw is another name that many surround the Jags like and could see in black and teal. There are also players like DaVon Hamilton, Leki Fotu, and Rashad Lawrence who will be available outside of round-one if the Jags want to patch up their concerning run defense.
This is also an area that the Jags could address in free-agency. Some names we looked at earlier include veteran defensive tackles D.J. Reader, Andrew Billings, and Javon Hargrave, each of whom the Jags could fit into their salary cap as individuals.
4. Offensive line help
Jags general manager Dave Caldwell has been reluctant to call out the Jags’ offensive line but the fans haven’t. At the least, they need one new starter on the unit although I could make the case for two.
Simply put, if the Jags are going to start young Minshew behind center, and especially if they want Leonard Fournette to be the unit’s star, they need to make changes on the offensive line.
The two spots where most would like to see change is at left tackle and right guard. Cam Robinson and A.J. Cann are arguably the weakest links on the unit, though Robinson is young enough to make strides over time. Two veteran options who have been thrown out there for the Jags are Trent Williams and Brandon Scherff due to their connection with Jags coordinator Jay Gruden. However, Scherff is working on a long-term deal with Washington and will get franchise tagged at the least, while Williams would be costly to trade for at 31 years of age.
Again, this may be an area to address in the draft. The reason for that is because the Jags have invested a decent amount of money into the unit between Andrew Norwell, Brandon Linder, and A.J. Cann. Options in the upcoming draft includes Andrew Thomas, Tristan Wirfs, and Mekhi Becton in the first-round and options like Solomon Kindley and Shane Lemieux outside of the first-round.
3. Tight end
The Jags will be getting back one of Minshew’s favorite targets, James O’Shaughnessy, at tight end after he tore his ACL last season and will also be getting rookie Josh Oliver back off IR, too. Still, neither should be expected to be No. 1’s at the position in 2020 and it’s simple as that.
We’ve thrown out some veteran names like Austin Hooper, Eric Ebron, and Hunter Henry as options on the open market. However, Hooper is looking to set the market at tight end and Henry is expected to be retained, which leaves Ebron as the most interesting option.
In the draft, the Jags could address tight end Day 2. Options that could be available include Harrison Bryant, Thaddeus Moss, and Brycen Hopkins to name a few.
2. Linebacker
Simply put, there is one star linebacker on the team at the position and that’s Myles Jack, however, he’s not even playing at the right position. That said, moving him back to outside linebacker should be a priority for the Jags and there are players both in the draft and in free-agency who would allow that.
Two names to be intrigued by in the draft at MIKE linebacker are Kenneth Murray of Oklahoma and Malik Harrison of Ohio State, both of whom had impressive Combine performances. In free-agency, there could be options like Joe Schobert and Blake Martinez although both are reportedly looking for $10 million annually. Another player who could be a bargain free-agent for the Jags is Nick Kwiatkoski of the Chicago Bears.
1. Cornerback/ secondary help
In January, we had linebacker as the Jags’ top need, but when Bouye was traded, cornerback easily became a bigger issue. With the veteran and Jalen Ramsey gone, the best corner on the team on the outside is Tre Herndon. While he has a ton of potential and made strides in 2019, that’s not a good thing when looking at the unit as a whole.
In my opinion, the Jags should sign a starting-caliber corner in free-agency and draft one afterward. Byron Jones, who will be expensive, is the name that comes up the most when looking at the open market and the Jags could acquire him, especially if they aren’t worried about Yannick Ngakoue being on the roster. Another name often mentioned is Carolina Panthers cornerback James Bradberry, who may be even more affordable than Jones.
In the draft, the Jags will be out of range to get Ohio State’s Jeff Okudah, though they could look into trading up for him. If they don’t want to give up what it would take for him then there are plenty of options who make sense as late first-round selections and second-round selections like Kristian Fulton, Bryce Hall, Troy Pride Jr., Trevon Diggs, and Jeff Gladney.
