Where Does ESPN Think Jaguars' Free Agents Josh Allen and Calvin Ridley Fit?

The two biggest Jacksonville Jaguars who are currently scheduled to be free agents on March 13 are outside linebacker Josh Allen and Calvin Ridley -- two of the best talents on the roster.

The bright side for the Jaguars is that it sure seems like the best landing spots for both Allen and Ridley is still Jacksonville, despite each likely having their fair share of suitors.

Allen is likely to be franchise-tagged, which means Ridley could be the only one to hit free agency. And in an ESPN list of the best team fits for all top-50 free agents, Allen and Ridley's best fits are both deemed to be with the Jaguars.

"If the Jags can't get a long-term contract done here, they could use the franchise tag on Allen to keep him in Jacksonville. And they really need to keep him in Jacksonville. Allen is a versatile, 6-foot-5 edge defender who posted 17.5 sacks in 2023, tied for second in the NFL. With the Jaguars, Allen is a prime fit at outside linebacker, with the ability to win one-on-one in pass rush situations," ESPN said.

In 17 games this year, Allen recorded 17.5 sacks, a career-high 33 quarterback hits, a career-high 17 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, and an interception. Allen also finished No. 5 among all EDGE players in pressures and No. 7 in win-rate.

"Of course I want to be in Jacksonville. You know, I have a chance to leave a legacy behind," Allen said at the Pro Bowl, via Jamal St. Cyr of WJXT4 in Jacksonville.

"And you know, that's something I wanted to do. I wanted to be with the best defensive player to come out of Jacksonville. And that's everywhere that I go so I got a great opportunity to finish what I started. You know, but at the end of the day I know what comes with the business side of it. So, you know, whatever play out, play out. But, you know, I'd love to be back."

"Ridley could easily stay in Jacksonville as a top target for quarterback Trevor Lawrence. In 2023, Ridley had 1,016 receiving yards and eight touchdowns, with 17 receptions of 20 yards or more. He's a sudden mover in the route tree and can be schemed open in Doug Pederson's offense," ESPN said.

Ridley recorded the second 1,000-yard season in his career in 2023, catching 76 passes for 1,016 yards and eight touchdowns. He also made it through the entire season healthy, starting all 17 games after serving a season-long suspension in 2022 and missing most of the 2021 season.

"Calvin did some awfully good things. I love Calvin Ridley. He’s all ball. You guys and gals that were able to see it at practice, he loves to practice, he loves to play, he loves the game," Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke said last month.

"When you bring somebody in that hasn’t been a part of football for over a year and a half, you’ve got to knock the rust off. He did that and at times, he showed exactly who he was, who he can be. The sky is the limit, he’s only going to get better because of the way he works. When you love something as much as he loves football, you can’t help but get better. We would love to have Calvin back and we’re going to work toward that. What that means, I don’t know right now.”