Five Biggest Free Agency Moves: Jacksonville Jaguars
With free agency now into its fifth week as April’s Draft draws closer, it’s time to start reviewing which teams filled some needs and who got weaker. Here are the five biggest free agency moves for each team so far.
Jacksonville finally seemed on the cusp of a breakout season last year after signing several high profile free agents. However, they then posted a 3–13 campaign. Gus Bradley was fired, replaced by Doug Marrone, and Tom Coughlin was brought in to oversee all facets of the Jaguars’ football operations. Here are Jacksonville’s five biggest free agency moves:
1 — Signing A.J. Bouye
After first round pick Jalen Ramsey established himself as a rookie star, Jacksonville needed to find another young corner to play across from him. So the Jaguars pounced on A.J. Bouye, signing him to a five year, $67.5 million deal after an impressive breakout year in Houston. Bouye had 16 pass breakups and an interception in 11 starts for the Texans. With Bouye locked up long-term and Ramsey still on his rookie deal, the Jaguars should have one of the league’s best cornerback duos for the next four years at least.
2 — Signing Calais Campbell
Considered to be one of the top available free agents, Calais Campbell signed a four year, $60 million contract with Jacksonville. Campbell joins a defensive line rotation that already includes Malik Jackson and Dante Fowler Jr., allowing the Jaguars to field what could be one of the AFC’s most dominant defensive interiors if Campbell slides in at defensive tackle. Campbell had eight sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception last season. This is shaping up to be a dominant defense in Jacksonville.
3 — Trading for Branden Albert
Blake Bortles regressed last season, dooming the Jaguars to another poor campaign. High profile off-season acquisition Kelvin Beachum struggled at left tackle, which didn’t help matters for Bortles. The Jaguars declined to pick up Beachum’s four year option and let him walk after just one year. To replace Beachum, Jacksonville sent a 2018 7th round pick to Miami in exchange for veteran tackle Branden Albert, who brings valuable experience and should help keep Bortles upright.
4 — Trading Julius Thomas
Two years into a five year, $46 million contract, tight end Julius Thomas was traded to the Dolphins for a 2017 7th round pick. Thomas was a huge disappointment in Jacksonville, with injuries and poor play defining his stay. In two seasons, Thomas contributed just 76 catches for 736 yards and nine touchdowns. To replace Thomas, the Jaguars signed former Raiders tight end Mychal Rivera to a two year, $6.75 million deal. While he wasn’t much of a pass catcher in Oakland, Rivera is a good blocker who fits what Coughlin used to do with his tight ends in New York.
5 — Signing Barry Church
The Jaguars needed an upgrade at strong safety to complete their rebuilt secondary, and signed former Cowboys starter Barry Church to a four year, $24 million deal. Church is a solid, dependable player who can take care of business against the run or the pass and brings veteran leadership to an otherwise young defensive backfield. Church had four passes defensed, two interceptions and a forced fumble in 12 games last season.
