The wild west days of NFL Free Agency will return in fifteen days. There will be moves that might change the league, jaw-dropping contracts, and much, much more that happen in front of our eyes.
The Jacksonville Jaguars must make important choices about several starters and major backups on the free agency day. We will thus share our predictions over which Jaguars will walk in free agency and which will re-sign.
Only unrestricted and restricted free agents will be considered; exclusive rights free agents, such as Gregory Junior, will not be.
Only unrestricted and restricted free agents will be considered; exclusive rights free agents, such as Gregory Junior, will not be.
Which Jaguars, then, do we think will sign again? We examine the area below.
Josh Allen: Stay
To some extent, this is cheating because we think Josh Allen will sign a franchise tag rather than re-sign. We believe he stays, even if he accepts a new contract in the few months before he must formally accept the tender.
Calvin Ridley: Stay
This one is more difficult because multiple teams will probably have Calvin Ridley as their top receiver. Nevertheless, there are many reasons to believe Ridley would want to return, and the Jaguars want him back.
Ezra Cleveland: Stay
During the second half of the season, the Jaguars rented Ezra Cleveland for a sixth round selection, but it had little effect on the offensive line. However, Phil Rauscher, the offensive line coach for the Jaguars, has always thought highly of him, and Cleveland is familiar with the Jaguars. We believe he steps down.
Jamal Agnew: Go
After the Jaguars selected Parker Washington in the sixth round, there isn’t much of a reason to shell out a lot of cash for a returner, even if Jamal Agnew was a vital member of the team for three seasons. This is a resign if it were 2022. He is probably a wise choice to walk in 2024.
Brandon McManus: Go
Doug Pederson seems dissatisfied with Brandon McManus’s play throughout the season’s last six games. He was simply too erratic.
K’Lavon Chaisson: Go
Although K’Lavon Chaisson’s snap total increased the previous season, he did not do much with them. Both parties need to move on at this point
Dawuane Smoot: Stay
After a year without an Achilles injury, the Jaguars should still add additional pass-rushers, but it makes sense to bring Dawuane Smoot back on a short-term contract.
Tre Herndon: Go
Tre Herndon, one of the Jaguars with the longest contract, is well-liked by Doug Pederson and the general office, but he doesn’t seem to suit Ryan Nielsen’s scheme.
Tyler Shatley: Stay
Tyler Shatley would feel out of place playing somewhere other than Jacksonville. He is still a very valuable spare interior lineman.
D’Ernest Johnson: Stay
It’s true that this is one of the hardest decisions. In addition to his special teams worth, D’Ernest Johnson was a great addition to the attack last season. They ought to desire his return.
Angelo Blackson: Go
While Angelo Blackson had a strong 2023 season, younger defensive line talent is now needed.
Daniel Thomas: Stay
One of the NFL’s finest special teams players as well as the best player on the squad. He must go back.
Shaquille Quarterman: Go
Shaq Quarterman, a native of his hometown, is a capable special team player who might get more defensive snaps elsewhere given the Jaguars have added four inside linebackers through the draft or free agency since 2022.
Matt Barkley: Go
It was a sick handoff, but…
Cole Van Lanen: Go
Considering how Cole Van Lanen has performed on the field, the Jaguars lost the trade even if they didn’t give up much in the deal.
Considering how Cole Van Lanen has performed on the field, the Jaguars lost the trade even if they didn’t give up much in the deal.
Blake Hance: Go
Blake Hance performed a variety of parts in 2023, but none of them were particularly successful.
Caleb Johnson: Stay
Caleb Johnson, who has likely been the Jaguars’ finest special teams cover guy outside of Daniel Thomas, has always been a favorite of special teams coach Heath Farwell.
