JAGUARS FREE AGENCY MANIFESTO

     The Jaguars have a lot of needs going into 2015 free agency. The good news for the Jaguars is there is a historic amount of talent in the 2015 edition of free agency, and the Jaguars have a historic amount of money to spend. They have holes at free safety, right tackle, pass rusher, linebacker, tight end, and possibly running back, and wide receiver. Here at Generation Jaguar we have a plan of attack for the Jags. 

     The Jaguars reportedly have great interest in Randall Cobb. He is small in stature, but plays big. He does a little bit of everything and could even be a punt/ kick returner. The Jaguars, if they are unable to obtain Cobb, should try to sign, either Jeremy Maclin or Torrey Smith. Both, possess the ability to stretch the defense vertically. Many want the Jaguars to add Julius Thomas, who from our position, is highly talented, but doesn't seem to have the love of the game and passion that some players do. Despite his lack of enthusiasm he would be a welcomed addition to the offense. We predict, however, that the Jaguars will draft a tight end: either Maxx Williams or Clive Walford. 

     The Jags are also rumored to have great interest In Brian Orakpo. Like Bulaga, Orakpo is a world class talent, who can’t seem to stay on the field. Instead of adding Orakpo, we suggest that the Jaguars draft a pass rusher with their 3rd overall pick and look for help along the interior of the defensive line. 

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      Once the Jaguars get one of the free safeties mentioned in the above paragraph they should focus on right tackle. Bryan Bulaga is the big name here, but he is injured often. The Jaguars should set their sights on Orlando Franklin, who is only 27 and has had a +15 rating or better the last two years. Last year he played guard, but the Jags could move him back to right tackle and greatly improve their offensive line. If they are unable to secure his talents they should aim for Derek Newton, who is also 27, and is a strong run blocking right tackle from the Jags division rival, the Houston Texans. Improving the right tackle and free safety are the most important things the Jags can do. Next they need weapons to help Blake Bortles. 

     The biggest holes on the team are at free safety and right tackle. The best free safeties on the team are Josh Evans and Sherrod Martin. They will not help the Jaguars defense to become elite. The best free safety available in free agency, will likely be Devin McCourty. He is one of the top free safeties in the league. He has all the tools, and he is only 27. The Jaguars should make him priority numero uno. If, for some reason they are unable to get him, the back up plan should be Rahim Moore. The former Broncos safety is much maligned for his massive mistake against the Ravens in the playoffs three years ago that cost the Broncos the game. Despite that terrible, career defining moment, Moore has actually played well. In 2014 he had four interceptions. He is supremely athletic and would make the Jaguars defense better. To boot, he is only 25 years old and has room to improve. 

     Many Jaguar fans argue that we have two great interior lineman in Roy Miller and Sen’ Derrick Marks. Both players are coming off injuries and there is no guarantee they will return to form. The Jaguars should set their sights on players like Ndamkong Suh, Terrrance Knighton, Nick Fairley, Jarred Odrick, or even the aging veteran Vince Wilfork. 

     Some fans point out that the Jaguars need to pick up a running back in free agency, but we disagree. Running backs value drastically deteriorates on their second and third contracts, as they ware down, plus there is a remarkable amount of talent at running back in the draft. 

     After these moves that we have outlined for the Jaguars, the rest is just gravy. They may look to add someone who can start or provide depth at linebacker, such as Jason Worilds, who is undersized, but excels at pass rush, and run defense.  

     The only free agents for the Jaguars, in our estimation, that the they should really push hard to bring back are: J.T. Thomas, who is a young gifted linebacker who, at worst, is a solid back up at all three linebacker spots, and Tyson Alualu who provides depth and versatility on the defensive line.

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