The Jacksonville Jaguars do not have many free agency concerns on the offense, but they do have a few concerns in the defense especially at in the LB corps and in the defensive secondary. They ended up with only five picks in the 2011 NFL draft but did a particularly decent job of addressing their needs. However, a few glaring holes remain and those will have to be dealt with when the NFL gets back to business.
The most glaring hole comes in the defensive secondary at corner. They did draft Rod Isaac in the fifth round of the 2011 NFL draft, but 30 year old Rashean Mathis has only nine INT’s in the last four years. This team needs a shut down corner, especially when we consider David Jones will be a free agent. On top of that they have free agency concerns at safety as well. On top of the fact that safety was their biggest liability last season. They neglected the secondary in the draft, and will now need to find upgrades via free agency.
Since Aaron Kampman is coming off his second torn ACL and the 26 sacks this team rang up in 2010 DE is another glaring need on this team. Derrick Harvey, a 2008 first round pick, likely will not be in town much longer. So this team will rely more on 2010 draft picks Larry Hart and Austen Lane. Given that finding another DE on the free agent market might be a high priority.
Free Agents are a concern along the LB corps as well. Three of their LB currently on the roster will be free agents once the NFL reopens so this front office will have to decide who to resign and which LB’s should be targeted in free agency. I would expect this team to bring in several free agents if they have the time to do just that.
Related Links:
- Jacksonville Jaguars news and notes
- Joshua Lobdell.com