Which Second-Wave Free Agents Make Sense For the Jaguars?
The Jacksonville Jaguars were certainly more active in free agency than many expected, landing several new starters on all three sides of the ball with additions like Mitch Morse, Gabe Davis, Arik Armstead, Darnell Savage, Ronald Darby, and Devin Duvernay.
But now that the first wave of free agency is over, we look to the next wave of free agents who could fill out the Jaguars' roster at several key spots.
Which free agents make sense and who could conceivably be added before the draft?
EDGE Bud Dupree
Ryan Nielsen coached Bud Dupree to 6.5 sacks last year in Atlanta, so there is plenty of reason to think the Jaguars' new defensive coordinator knows what he could potentially get out of Dupree. Scheme familiarity and a veteran track record of success work in Dupree's favor when looking at his resume, and he could make more sense as a backup pass-rusher at 31-years-old despite starting 16 games last year.
EDGE Yannick Ngakoue
The Jaguars seem like just the team that could utilize a player like Yannick Ngakoue -- just like they did last year when they showed genuine interest in him. Ngakoue is at the point in his career where he should accept the role as a designated pass-rusher, and the Jaguars can shoulder a player with that role considering the success Travon Walker and Josh Allen have against the run. Ngakoue has recorded at least eight sacks in every year outside of a four-sack season with the Bears last year.
EDGE Carl Lawson
Carl Lawson barely played 100 snaps for the Jets' defense last year as they moved on with younger faces at defensive end. Before then, he played a full season in 2022 following an Achilles injury in 2021, recording seven sacks and showing he still provided value as a pass-rusher. He may not be a super star pass-rusher who can push for double-digit sacks, but you could worse for a No. 3 defensive end option.
DL Kentavius Street
The connections to the Jaguars' staff are obvious for Kentavius Street. Jaguars defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen was his position coach for his first three seasons at NC State and played a big part in him becoming a fourth-round pick. Then, Street had a career-high 3.5 sacks in 2022 with the New Orleans Saints while under Nielsen's tutelage. Street would offer solid depth in multiple spots along the defensive line and is a player Nielsen knows well.
WR Mike Williams
It would be an odd fit across from Gabe Davis considering the similarities between the two in skill-set, but the Jaguars need more outside receivers. With Zay Jones' contract still in flux as a potential post-June 1st designation release, the Jaguars could theoretically save money by cutting Jones and bringing in Williams on a cheap prove-it deal. Whether it makes sense to invest in an often-injured veteran receiver after the issues at the position with injuries in 2023 is another question.
EDGE Tyus Bowser
Another player with an injury history that could lead to him being had for cheaper than his talent would otherwise suggest. He is a gamble considering the issues that kept him off the field in 2022 and 2023, leaving him with just nine games played in that time and zero in 2023. Still, he had seven sacks in his last healthy season and could provide valuable depth on the edge for cheap.
CB Avonte Maddox
One of the best slot corners in the NFL at his peak, there is potential for Avonte Maddox to still have a lot of good football ahead of him after six years with the Philadelphia Eagles. Maddox, who turns 28 at the end of this month, has only appeared in 13 games due to injuries over the last two seasons so it stands to reason he could be had for a discount. After being drafted by the Eagles during Doug Pederson's tenure as head coach, it stands to reason the Jaguars know more about him than most other teams, too.
