4 Jaguars Rank Among The Athletic's Top-100 Free Agents

The Jaguars have four free agents who could command strong markets next month.

In 20 days, the NFL's legal tampering window will open and the entire NFL will be wheeling and dealing in hopes of bolstering their roster, re-signing their stars and more. 

In anticipation of the always-hectic free agency spending spree, The Athletic has released their own list of this year's top-150 free agents. And among the first 100 players on that list are four Jacksonville Jaguars who figure to be key pieces of the Jaguars' offseason: Josh Allen, Calvin Ridley, Ezra Cleveland, and Tre Herndon. 

Allen is ranked the No. 6 free agent and the No. 3 EDGE behind Brian Burns and Danielle Hunter.

"Allen put up outstanding production in 2023, but he was not quite as consistent on film. He's a good player with elite skills, but at times, he was not as sudden as a rusher or in pursuit as he has been in the past. He picked his spots some. That said, he will still be in high demand (if the Jaguars don't tag him). There is still upside here, which is scary," The Athletic said. 

Ridley is ranked No. 23 overall and is actually the No. 1 receiver on the list, coming in ranked over Darnell Mooney, Michael Pittman Jr., Tee Higgins, and Mike Evans. 

"Ridley represents the best combination of size, speed and hands in this group of receivers. He really comes off the ball quickly, eats up defenders' cushions and gets in and out of breaks very quickly. His suddenness jumps out compared to other receivers, and he runs a complete route tree with the body control to win versus zone and man. He will frustrate you with occasional drops, but it's more about lacking focus than hands. The Jaguars owe the Falcons a 2024 third-round pick from the 2022 trade for Ridley, but if they sign him to a new deal, they would instead owe a second-rounder," The Athletic said.

Cleveland, who started five games for the Jaguars last year after being traded from the Minnesota Vikings at the trade deadline, is ranked No. 83 overall and as the No. 8 guard. 

"Cleveland made 49 starts over three-plus seasons with the Vikings before the Jaguars acquired him at the trade deadline this season. An offensive tackle at Boise State, he has spent most of his NFL career at left guard, where he allowed three sacks on 476 pass blocking snaps last season, per TruMedia," The Athletic said.

Finally, Herndon is ranked No. 93 and as the No. 9 cornerback.

"A regular starter in Jacksonville in 2019 and 2020, Herndon has been relegated to the third cornerback role since 2021, playing predominantly in the slot. He doesn't have an interception since 2019, but his experience and versatility will offer value somewhere," The Athletic said.