2023 NFL Free Agency: Grading the Jaguars' Signing of Michael Dogbe
The Jacksonville Jaguars are on the board.
After sitting out the first wave of free-agency, the Jaguars finally made their March moves on Wednesday, adding three new free agents.
To give an idea of what the new additions could mean for the Jaguars in 2023, the rest of the roster, and our ultimate grade, we are set to analyze each signing. Next up: former Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Michael Dogbe.
Dogbe was drafted out of Temple in 2019, with the Cardinals selecting him with the No. 249 overall pick. Last season, Dogbe played in 13 games, starting four. He had a career-high 282 defensive snaps. He recorded 28 tackles and one tackle for loss. In four seasons, he appeared in 40 games, had 61 tackles, two sacks, four tackles for loss, and a fumble recovery.
Dogbe spent two of his first three seasons with Jaguars defensive line coach Brentson Buckner, who coached the Cardinals' defensive line in 2020 and 2021.
So what do we make of the Dogbe signing? We break it down below.
What Dogbe's signing means for 2023
The Jaguars went into 2022 with questionable interior depth, which doesn't seem like a mistake they are willing to make this year. The lack of depth showed up at times when Foley Fatukasi went down with injuries, with the Jaguars only carrying four true interior defensive linemen into the season.
Now, though, the Jaguars at least have more flexibility as they enter the offseason. Dogbe isn't an impact player or a proven starter, but he is a high-upside athlete who can fill a rotational spot along the defensive front at either three- or five-technique. Considering the player Dogbe will be most directly replacing is Peters, then the Jaguars can find solace in knowing they made a smart move.
Dogbe's signing shouldn't mean the Jaguars are set to enter April without questions up front. Dogbe has potential, but he is far from a frontline player. But by signing him, the Jaguars do at least now have options inside beyond their starters; options they can feel confident about when injuries occur, unlike last year.
Who is impacted the most?
Adam Gotsis. Gotsis didn't face much competition among the Jaguars' backup defensive line last year, only ever having to truly share snaps with journeyman defensive tackle Corey Peters. With Peters moving on as a free agent, Gotsis was set to seen a potentially larger role depending on how the Jaguars addressed their front.
This isn't to say Gotsis will lose his spot to Dogbe; Gotsis is the more productive and experienced player, after all. But Gotsis will now have to compete with Dogbe, among potentially others, during training camp to be the Jaguars' top backup option up front.
Where does Dogbe fall on the depth chart?
The Jaguars have their starting down linemen set with Roy Robertson-Harris, Foley Fatukasi and DaVon Hamilton, but depth was needed beyond them. Dogbe is a natural 3-4 defensive end and could even be seen as a potential early-down option there if the Jaguars deem Fatukasi more of a true nose tackle than 3-4 end.
For reference, Adam Gotsis played 29% of the Jaguars' defensive snaps last year. That seems like a reasonable projection for Dogbe, who will compete with Gotsis for snaps and for a spot on the Jaguars' second rotation. Dogbe shouldn't be expected to be a lock to make the roster, but he does give the Jaguars flexibility beyond Gotsis, something they didn't have last year.
Grade: B
Considering that Dogbe is a cheap second-wave signing, there are a lot of reasons to think this is a positive signing. Dogbe was never given a lot of playing time in Arizona, but he showed the ability to be a disruptive interior player when given chances. After the loss of Arden Key, a player who can wreck offenses from up the middle was needed in a big way. Dogbe may not be that player, but he does give the Jaguars options.
Add in the need and Dogbe's upside, and this is a solid signing a week-plus into free agency.
