2023 NFL Free Agency: 3 Observations on Jaguars' Second-Wave Additions
After playing the waiting game during the first stage of free agency, Jacksonville Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke and his pro personnel staff were active during a second-wave addition of three veterans on Wednesday.
The three new signings -- running back D'Ernest Johnson, defensive lineman Michael Dogbe and defensive lineman Henry Mondeaux -- are the first three external free agents the Jaguars have signed in 2023.
After the Jaguars were patient and sat out during the spending spree that is known as the first week of free agency, Jacksonville targeted three veterans for depth roles on Wednesday.
What do we make of the Jaguars' free agency signings and what does it mean moving forward? We break it down below.
D'Ernest Johnson is the type of smart depth addition the Jaguars needed to make
This move was a home run right off the bat simply for the fact the Jaguars got D'Ernest Johnson for a cheap one-year flier after a week-and-a-half of free agency. He has proven he is a good No. 3 running back with legitimate upside to be even more than that, He averaged 5.97 yards per carry in his only two career starts (recording 245 total rushing yards), also scoring a touchdown and catching nine passes for 70 yards. Whenever his number has been called upon, he has produced in a big way.
There is an argument to make Johnson is already the Jaguars' second-best running back, and that doesn't even factor in his special teams value, which includes return experience. Whether it is as Travis Etienne's backup, a complimentary piece alongside JaMycal Hasty, or as a core special teamer, Johnson should make an impact.
In short, Johnson is a great pickup. He is exactly the type of running back the Jaguars needed to add, is an obvious locker room fit, and helps eliminate the need to potentially draft a running back on Day 3. Smart teams make signings like this one.
Why Michael Dogbe is an interesting upside flier to replace Corey Peters
After Johnson, the most interesting addition the Jaguars made was former Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Michael Dogbe. A former seventh-round pick out of Temple, Dogbe served as a key depth piece for Arizona over the last four years. Two of those years (2020-2021) were spent under Jaguars defensive line coach Brentson Buckner, so there is some obvious familiarity for Dogbe as he transitions to Jacksonville's scheme.
But what makes Dogbe such an interesting signing has nothing to do with Buckner. Instead, Dogbe's physical traits are what give him a potentially high ceiling that he hasn't yet tapped into (two career sacks). Dogbe offers movement skills inside that not many interior defensive linemen have, making him a much more explosive and potentially dynamic depth option than Corey Peters was a year ago. Dogbe shouldn't be expected to play a huge role or be a pass-rush savior, but adding an athlete like him to replace Peters at the end of the defensive line rotation is a bet worth taking.
Henry Mondeaux shows the Jaguars learned a lesson from 2022
The other defensive lineman the Jaguars added Wednesday was former Oregon Ducks and New York Giants defender Henry Mondeaux. Mondeaux has bounced around the league since entering it as an undrafted free agent in 2018, but he saw his most playing time with the Giants last season. On the surface, he is a smaller defensive lineman (similar to Dogbe), who offers solid athleticsm. But when looking at the addition deeper, something else stands out.
Outside of the Jaguars' top three interior linemen (DaVon Hamilton, Roy Robertson-Harris, Foley Fatukasi), the Jaguars didn't really have any trench players stand out in last year's offseason and training camp. This carried over to cut day, with the Jaguars carrying just four interior defensive linemen into Week 1. The Jaguars have seemingly learned that lesson, with the combination of Mondeaux and Dogbe serving as significantly improved depth from last year's offseason and camp roster. Mondeaux shouldn't be expected to be a lock to make the roster, but his addition does show growth for the Jaguars.
