The NFL offseason of 2024 is predicted to be much more exciting. A number of the NFL’s best players are about to become free agents, and the decisions made and not made over the next several weeks and months will determine the fate of many clubs.
This contains the three upcoming free agents for the Jacksonville Jaguars that rank among the top 150 free agents in the world according to PFF for 2024.
What kind of deals does PFF project this offseason, given that Josh Allen, Calvin Ridley, and Ezra Cleveland are all expected to be among the top free agents at their respective positions? Below, we dissect it.
Allen Josh
“Title of franchise. After a successful 2022, Allen had a spectacular 2023 campaign, setting career highs in sacks (19) and quarterback pressures (90), in addition to having one of the top pass-rush win rates in the league (20.5%), according to PFF.
Allen is most likely going to receive the franchise tag in the spring. In addition to stating that Allen would remain a Jaguar in 2024 regardless of what happened, Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke noted this week that the organization had not yet begun contract talks with the standout pass-rusher. Allen would receive a lower AAV from eight edge rushers than he would with a franchise tag.
Calvin Robinson
“Ridley is in a unique contract scenario. He missed all of 2022 due to a suspension for sports gambling, but he made a comeback to the game in 2023. Prior to that, he had given up football before the 2021 season ended, although in 2020, PFF noted, he was a top wide receiver.
“In 2023, Ridley experienced some drops as he got back to full speed, but he still showed that he was capable of controlling a game and busting off a string of spectacular receptions. The terms of Ridley’s trade to Jacksonville are also intriguing; if the two sides agree to an extension, the pick the Jaguars will give to the Atlanta Falcons will advance to a second-round pick.
The terms of the condition may not be exactly the same as when Leonard Williams was traded by the New York Jets to the New York Giants, but in that case, the Giants avoided having to send a higher draft pick by using a franchise tag rather than signing Williams to a multi-year extension in 2020.”
In 2023, Ridley caught 76 catches for 1,016 yards and eight touchdowns, marking his second career 1,000-yard season. In addition, he played the whole season in good health, starting every one of the 17 games following his 2022 season-long suspension.
“Calvin pulled off some really impressive feats. Calvin Ridley is my fave. He is completely focused on the ball. He likes to play, he loves to train, and he loves the game, as you guys and women who were able to witness at practice will attest,” Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke stated last week.
“You have to remove the rust off of someone who hasn’t played football for more than a year and a half when they are brought in. He accomplished that, and on occasion, he demonstrated his true self. The possibilities are endless, and because of the way he operates, he can only get better. You can’t help but improve when you are passionate about something as much as he is about football.
Calvin’s return would be greatly desired, and we will make efforts to make that happen. I’m not sure what that signifies exactly at this time.
Among receivers, Ridley’s AAV would be ranked No. 17, and his total value would be ranked No. 27.
Cleveland Ezra
“After playing more than 1,100 snaps at left guard for the Minnesota Vikings in 2021 and 2022, Cleveland was moved to the Jaguars at the trade deadline this year. The former Boise State second-round selection kicked inside in the NFL and has excelled as a run blocker in primarily zone schemes since Day 1,” according to PFF.
“Cleveland does a good job of avoiding double teams by getting to the play-side shoulder of the defender and down-blocking them to keep them away from the ball carrier. This frees him up to face a second-tier defender. Cleveland may stand up somewhat upright in pass protection, shifting his weight to the back of his feet, which leaves him vulnerable to rushers pulling him occasionally off his spot or easily crossing his face.”
Cleveland is currently the No. 5 guard in PFF’s summer rankings; with this deal, he would rank No. 15 among guards in terms of salary.
