The Jaguars are coming off their best season in a decade and reached the AFC Championship for the third time in franchise history. Still, they have needs on the offensive side of the ball. The offense finished sixth in total yards this year, but despite the impressive numbers the offense was a liability at times. Let's take a look at three positions on the offensive side of the ball that the Jaguars could upgrade in free agency. 1. Wide Receiver The Jaguars have lacked real difference makers at the wide receiver position for some time. Both Allen Robinson and Marqise Lee are set to become free agents. The general consensus is that the Jaguars should look to re-sign Allen Robinson, who has star potential, to a long term deal and let Marqise Lee, who led the NFL in drops last season, walk in free agency. Allen Hurns seems like a possible roster cut due to his lack of production over the last two seasons combined with a hefty price tag. So that leaves the Jaguars with (assuming they don't screw up the A-Rob situation) Allen Robinson, Keelan Cole, and Dede Westbrook as players the team thinks they can build around at receiver. In order to be a top flight offense the Jaguars will need to add another true impact player at WR. Luckily for the Jaguars, if they do look to upgrade the position in free agency, they'll have plenty of options. If the team wants to add a starting caliber wide receiver they could look at Sammy Watkins or Jarvis Landry, both of whom have had big time production in the past. If the Jags brass wants to be a little bit more frugal with their spending there are a number of cheaper options set to hit free agency this year. Donte Moncrief, Jordan Matthews, and John Brown could all have their best football in front of them and aren't likely to cost much. All three players will be cheaper than Allen Hurns, but could bring more versatility to the Jaguars offense. 2. Offensive Guard/Center The Jaguars offensive line was greatly improved in 2017, but still has room to grow, especially in the run blocking department. Neither LG Patrick Omameh (set to become a free agent) or RG AJ Cann are likely to be mainstays on the Jaguars offensive line. Brandon Linder, the team's best offensive lineman, can play any of the three positions along the interior offensive line. So, the team could upgrade at both guard spots or move Linder to guard and add a center. They should try to add at least one guy that they feel can upgrade the interior of the offensive line. Patrick Omameh will be one of the best free agents at the position, so the Jaguars could elect to re-sign him and set their sights on upgrading the left guard position. If that's the case then Andrew Norwell would be a fantastic target. Norwell is just 26 years old and coming off a career year in Carolina. He may cost more than the Jaguars are willing to spend, but he would certainly be an upgrade over an under achieving Cann. Outside of Norwell, there isn't much in terms of guard or centers that would represent true upgrades in this year's free agency class. The Jaguars may be forced to turn to the draft to upgrade their interior offensive line if Norwell is outside of their price range. 3. Tight End
The Jaguars have never had a truly effective receiving tight end. Marcedes Lewis has been a mainstay at the position for the Jaguars for over a decade and should continue to play a role in the Jaguars offense. He's one of the very best blocking tight ends in football. But the Jaguars need to add someone else at the position that can open up the field from a receiving stand point. They did sign Mychal Rivera in 2017, who has the potential to be that type of receiving threat, but after a season on IR, he provides more questions than answers. There are a number of options available in free agency that could be answers to the Jaguars need for a receiving tight end. The headliners - Jimmy Graham and Tyler Eifert - don't necessarily look like fits for the Jaguars. Both may cost more than the Jaguars are willing to spend. But Trey Burton is a player that could really help the Jaguars offense. He has the tools to be an elite receiving tight end but also has versatility to do other things on the offensive side of the ball (see his touchdown pass to Nick Foles in the Super Bowl). The Jaguars don't have nearly as many needs as they have in the recent past, but they could still stand to upgrade several positions on offense. The players are out there to upgrade these three positions, but will the Jaguars see fit to fork out the cash for true upgrades? Time will tell. Stay tuned for more! Follow Generation Jaguar on Twitter. |
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