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After making 10 free agent signings already, along with having 10 picks in this year's draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars could be done making additions until late April rolls around.
However, with ample cap space and free agency helping to provide flexibility when it comes to how teams navigate the draft, for the right player, the Jaguars still have the ability to make a move.
Even with the free agent additions already made, the Jaguars still have $35.73 million in available cap space, which ranks as the 10th most in the NFL, according to Over the Cap.
While not all of that is spendable as there are other cap expenses coming down the road, such as signing the incoming draft class, especially at this stage of the free agent process where contracts won't break the salary cap bank, the Jaguars do have the means to sign another player or two.
The defensive line still remains a big need for the Jaguars, but you'll notice that there aren't any defensive linemen listed below. The reason for that is GM James Gladstone did mention after the first wave of free agency the need to have some roster spots open so rookies can be inserted and have the opportunity to earn playing time.
"We're going to have to have some spots that are actually open for [draft picks] to insert," Gladstone said. "So [adding] a veteran at this point could be just standing in the way. We're going to allow these rookies to get a chance to get out on the field and help us this coming fall."
Although in making that comment, he didn't specifically mention any position group, given that the Jaguars didn't sign a defensive tackle during free agency and that it's a position Gladstone has said he wants to emphasize, we can do that math and infer that this was a unit he was referring to.
But if you're curious, some of the top available defensive linemen still out there include DT Calais Campbell, DE Matthew Judon, DE Za'Darius Smith, and DE Von Miller.
With that said, perhaps that sentiment from Gladstone about keeping some roster spots open until the draft applies across the board and we don't see any more moves from the Jaguars. But if Gladstone does want to take another swing, here are three options at positions of need with help from ESPN's Matt Bowen and NFL.com's Gregg Rosenthal.
I've mentioned Moore before when it comes to a free-agent option for the Jaguars, but I do like his fit in Liam Coen's offense. He has ample experience playing both out wide and in the slot, he can attack the middle of the field and brings added YAC ability as well. Moore totaled 652 yards in 2023 and 538 yards in 2024, per PFF.
After trading Christian Kirk and releasing Devin Duvernay and Josh Reynolds, even after signing Dyami Brown, receiver is a position that should still be added to.
"The guy gets open," wrote Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com. "I still haven’t given up on Moore as a plus slot receiver. He'll be just 25 years old for the entire 2025 season."
At this stage of the free agency process, landing Samuel isn't going to eat up a ton of salary cap space and I would guess it's not going to be a long-term deal either. However, coming off his rookie deal, it's a swing on his upside, which he's showcased already with the LA Chargers.
Samuel played in only four games last season but has had excellent ball production with seven interceptions and 22 pass breakups during the 2022 and 2023 seasons.
The Jaguars should look to add competition on the boundary for Jarrian Jones, whether it be a free agent signing or through the NFL draft.
"Samuel has a playmaking mentality at cornerback, with the foot quickness and sudden closing speed to break on the ball," wrote Bowen. "A shoulder injury limited Samuel to four games last season, but he has six interceptions and 26 pass breakups in his four years with the Chargers."
With Eric Murray handling the free safety duties, I don't think that adding competition for Darnell Savage or Antonio Johnson is a bad thing--not to mention that there are just five safeties under contract at that moment.
Blackmon can play both the free and strong safety roles but had a career year in 2023 playing down in the box, which would work well paired with Murray.
"Blackmon had three interceptions in 2024, and he has seven over the past two seasons," Bowen wrote. "There's post and deep-half range on his tape, which fits in every system. He also has 85-plus tackles in each of the past two seasons."
This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: Jaguars free agency: 3 options to boost depth at positions of need
Continue reading...
However, with ample cap space and free agency helping to provide flexibility when it comes to how teams navigate the draft, for the right player, the Jaguars still have the ability to make a move.
Even with the free agent additions already made, the Jaguars still have $35.73 million in available cap space, which ranks as the 10th most in the NFL, according to Over the Cap.
While not all of that is spendable as there are other cap expenses coming down the road, such as signing the incoming draft class, especially at this stage of the free agent process where contracts won't break the salary cap bank, the Jaguars do have the means to sign another player or two.
The defensive line still remains a big need for the Jaguars, but you'll notice that there aren't any defensive linemen listed below. The reason for that is GM James Gladstone did mention after the first wave of free agency the need to have some roster spots open so rookies can be inserted and have the opportunity to earn playing time.
"We're going to have to have some spots that are actually open for [draft picks] to insert," Gladstone said. "So [adding] a veteran at this point could be just standing in the way. We're going to allow these rookies to get a chance to get out on the field and help us this coming fall."
Although in making that comment, he didn't specifically mention any position group, given that the Jaguars didn't sign a defensive tackle during free agency and that it's a position Gladstone has said he wants to emphasize, we can do that math and infer that this was a unit he was referring to.
But if you're curious, some of the top available defensive linemen still out there include DT Calais Campbell, DE Matthew Judon, DE Za'Darius Smith, and DE Von Miller.
With that said, perhaps that sentiment from Gladstone about keeping some roster spots open until the draft applies across the board and we don't see any more moves from the Jaguars. But if Gladstone does want to take another swing, here are three options at positions of need with help from ESPN's Matt Bowen and NFL.com's Gregg Rosenthal.
WR Elijah Moore
I've mentioned Moore before when it comes to a free-agent option for the Jaguars, but I do like his fit in Liam Coen's offense. He has ample experience playing both out wide and in the slot, he can attack the middle of the field and brings added YAC ability as well. Moore totaled 652 yards in 2023 and 538 yards in 2024, per PFF.
After trading Christian Kirk and releasing Devin Duvernay and Josh Reynolds, even after signing Dyami Brown, receiver is a position that should still be added to.
"The guy gets open," wrote Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com. "I still haven’t given up on Moore as a plus slot receiver. He'll be just 25 years old for the entire 2025 season."
CB Asante Samuel Jr.
At this stage of the free agency process, landing Samuel isn't going to eat up a ton of salary cap space and I would guess it's not going to be a long-term deal either. However, coming off his rookie deal, it's a swing on his upside, which he's showcased already with the LA Chargers.
Samuel played in only four games last season but has had excellent ball production with seven interceptions and 22 pass breakups during the 2022 and 2023 seasons.
The Jaguars should look to add competition on the boundary for Jarrian Jones, whether it be a free agent signing or through the NFL draft.
"Samuel has a playmaking mentality at cornerback, with the foot quickness and sudden closing speed to break on the ball," wrote Bowen. "A shoulder injury limited Samuel to four games last season, but he has six interceptions and 26 pass breakups in his four years with the Chargers."
S Julian Blackmon
With Eric Murray handling the free safety duties, I don't think that adding competition for Darnell Savage or Antonio Johnson is a bad thing--not to mention that there are just five safeties under contract at that moment.
Blackmon can play both the free and strong safety roles but had a career year in 2023 playing down in the box, which would work well paired with Murray.
"Blackmon had three interceptions in 2024, and he has seven over the past two seasons," Bowen wrote. "There's post and deep-half range on his tape, which fits in every system. He also has 85-plus tackles in each of the past two seasons."
This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: Jaguars free agency: 3 options to boost depth at positions of need
Continue reading...
