2021 Jacksonville Jaguars Off-Season Plan

Jaguars Team Needs:

QB, TE, OT, FS, DT, SS, CB, EDGE, OG, Nickel, NT

Jaguars Available Draft Picks:

1(1), 1(25), 2(33), 2(45), 3(65), 4(96), 4(120), 5(128), 7(192), 7(213)

Jaguars Starting Cap Space:

$81,748,309

Trades:

None

Restructures:

None

Cuts:

TE Tyler Eifert to save $6,062,500

IOL AJ Cann to save $6,292,709

When looking at Tyler Eifert and AJ Cann, there’s a very simple reason to cut the both of them: the production does not justify the cost. You can find better talent at a cheaper price tag and without much dead cap space accompanying the cuts, there is very little downside to releasing both Eifert and Cann.

Re-signings:

CB Sidney Jones IV for 2 years, $2,700,000 (1.5M GTD)

While Sidney Jones IV hasn’t been great by any stretch of the word, he showed some solid stretches when healthy in Jacksonville. He’s done enough to earn himself another opportunity with flexibilty to be released should he not pan out.

Jaguars Free Agent Signings:

WR Chris Godwin for 4 years, $70,000,000 ($58M GTD)

S Marcus Williams for 4 years, $56,000,000 ($40M GTD)

G Joe Thuney for 4 years, $59,600,000 ($42M GTD)

TE Trey Burton for 2 years, $7,600,000 ($3.5M GTD)

DL Solomon Thomas for 3 years, $17,250,000 ($10M GTD)

FB Kyle Juszczyk for 2 years, $5,700,000 ($3M GTD)

The free agency class here helped the Jaguars add in some surefire mainstays in Chris Godwin, Marcus Williams, and Joe Thuney while also mixing in Trey Burton and Solomon Thomas as veterans that could find new roles as rotational players. Even with all of the capital that the Jaguars have, they aren’t looking at being legit contenders this year. With these moves however, the Jaguars put themselves in solid position to succeed sooner rather than later and put building blocks in place for the future.

Jacksonville Jaguars Draft Results:

1.1 – Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson

This is the plan that we’ve all accepted is most likely going to happen. The Jaguars draft their QB of the present and future and set themselves up for success for a decade-plus.

1.25 – Samuel Cosmi, OT, Texas

This might be just me, but I don’t think it’s reasonable to think that Trent Williams would be interested in signing for a non-contender like the Jaguars at this point in his career. That being said, I also think that Texas OT Samuel Cosmi is a great fit for what Urban Meyer and Darrell Bevell want to do offensively. Cosmi is a solid value here and he can step in as an immediate starter on this line.

2.33 – Pat Freiermuth, TE, Penn State

There are very rare instances where a rookie tight end can contribute and that’s fine. This is a draft where the Jaguars are setting themselves up for the future more than anything else. Freiermuth has all of the tools to carve out a career as a top 10 tight end in the NFL and having a QB like Lawrence could make it that much easier.

2.45 – Nick Bolton, LB, Missouri

Going into the season, Nick Bolton was viewed as much more of a two-down linebacker who could prove to be a liability in coverage. He’s improved in coverage significantly over the past year and should he continue to improve, he could be a high-impact player at the next level. Bolton steps in as an immediate starter on an already sound linebacker group.

3.65 – Quinn Meinerz, IOL, Wisconsin-Whitewater

The heart of Mobile, Alabama. Quinn Meinerz showed up in Mobile with his jersey rolled up and his belly hanging out, then he beat the hell out of anyone who stepped in his path. Meinerz is a sound late day two pick and while he wouldn’t see the field immediately, he could be an eventual replacement for either Andrew Norwell or Brandon Linder, since both of them could be cut with little to no dead cap soon.

4.96 – Elerson Smith, EDGE, Northern Iowa

Another small school stud that opened some eyes in Mobile is the versatile EDGE/DL from Northern Iowa, Elerson Smith. While Smith won’t be able to step in as an immdiate starter, his versatility and skillset could be helpful in a situational pass-rushing role with upside.

4.120 – Tre Brown, CB, Oklahoma

You typically don’t think of Oklahoma as a breeding ground of NFL defensive back talent but what they’ve done in the past two years is impressive. From a near FCS-worst passing defense in 2018 to a top-25 passing defense in 2019 and 2020 is due in no small part to cornerback Tre Brown. Brown stepped up big-time and solidified himself as an NFL-caliber defensive back that’s being greatly underrated right now.

When looking at the depth chart later and thinking about who would start opposite CJ Henderson and who would start in the slot, I think it’s important to note that both Sidney Jones IV and Tre Brown could alternate those roles.

5.128 – Reed Blankenship, S, Middle Tennessee State

Despite signing former Saints S Marcus Williams in the offseason, the Jaguars still have a massive need at the other safety spot. Adding Reed Blankenship, another woefully underrated defensive back, gives the Jaguars a day three pick that can step in and start immediately. The value here is unmatched as Blankenship’s versatility allows the Jaguars to have a defense that can show a ton of different looks and give opposing QBs fits.

6.153 – Dez Fitzpatrick, WR, Louisville

After adding Chris Godwin, the starting receivers on this Jaguars team are set in stone. As we all know though, you can never have too many wide receivers. The Jaguars add Dez Fitzpatrick here, a crisp route-runner who should be a viable option in the passing game. Don’t be too surprised if Fitzpatrick gets slot snaps when Shenault moves into the backfield.

7.192 – Pro Wells, TE, TCU

Typically your third tight end isn’t the sexiest pick but with this tight end group needing life, I think the Jaguars should take all of the help possible. Pro Wells lined up in-line, in the slot, and out wide for the Horned Frogs throughout his career and could bring a versatility that Urban Meyer would love to incorporate into his offense. Wells could also be the eventual TE2 when Trey Burton leaves the team.

7.213 – Jimmy Morrissey, IOL, Pittsburgh

Morrissey has had an inconsistent career thus far but given the uncertainty across this entire offensive line, it can’t hurt to add some depth here and find a possible eventual starter.

Cap Space Spent on Re-signings:

$1,350,000

Cap Space Spent on Free Agents:

$58,800,000

Cap Space Spent on Draft Picks:

$16,240,472

Jaguars Total Cap Remaining:

$15,254,712

Backfield Starters

QB: Trevor Lawrence

RB: James Robinson

FB: Kyle Juszczyk

Receiver Starters

WR: Chris Godwin

WR: DJ Chark

Slot WR: LaViska Shenault Jr.

TE: Pat Freiermuth

TE: Trey Burton

Offensive Line Starters

LT: Samuel Cosmi

LG: Andrew Norwell

C: Brandon Linder

RG: Joe Thuney

RT: Jawaan Taylor

Defensive Line Starters

EDGE: Josh Allen

NT: DaVon Hamilton

DT: Doug Costin

EDGE: K’Lavon Chaisson

Linebacker Starters

SAM: Nick Bolton

MIKE: Joe Schobert

WILL: Myles Jack

Secondary Starters

CB: CJ Henderson

CB: Sidney Jones IV

S: Marcus Williams

S: Reed Blankenship

Nickel: Tre Brown

Special Teamers

K: Josh Lambo

P:  Logan Cooke

KOS: Josh Lambo

LS: Ross Matiscik

KR: Chris Claybrooks

PR: Chris Claybrooks