The Jaguars had an uneventful first day of legal tampering on Monday, but the Big Cats hit it hard on Tuesday. The Jaguars released tight end Geoff Swaim, saving just over $4 million in 2020 cap space. They also tendered wide receiver Keelan Cole and linebacker Austin Calitro. Calitro received the exclusive rights tender while Cole received a second-round tender, all but guaranteeing he'll be a Jaguar in 2020. Then came the biggest news of the day: the agreement to sign middle linebacker Joe Schobert. Jacksonville inked him to a deal worth $53.75 million over five years with $22 million guaranteed and a $12 million signing bonus. He should sure up the middle of the second level of the Jaguars' defense, and perhaps more importantly, he'll allow Myles Jack to move to his more natural outside linebacker position. Because of the massive signing bonus, Schobert will count little against the Jaguars' 2020 salary cap. The Jags weren't done yet. They also agreed to sign cornerback Darqueze Dennard. Dennard received a three-year deal worth $13.5 million, with $6 million guaranteed. Dennard has primarily played in the inside at nickel for most of his career, but he's expected to compete for a starting job on the outside. Free agency "officially" begins later today, and the Jags have plenty more work to do. Even after signing Darqueze Dennard, the biggest hole on the Jaguars' roster is still at outside cornerback. Desmond Trufant is the best available outside corner. Among the other outside cornerbacks still available, are players like Chris Harris, Jimmy Smith, Aqib Talib, Prince Amukamara, Eli Apple, Kevin Johnson, Artie Burns, and more could all make an impact for the Jags. The Jaguars should sign a defensive tackle as well. The team was reportedly in on Quenton Jefferson and DJ Reader, but those two ultimately ended up in Buffalo and Cincy, respectively. There are plenty of talented big men still out there. Shelby Harris, Michael Pierce, Linval Joseph, Damon Harrison, Mike Daniels, and Marcell Dareus are the top talents still available at DT.
Other positions the Jaguars could target include safety, offensive guard, wide receiver, tight end, and offensive tackle. The Jaguars also have yet to part ways with expensive players that project to be backups in 2020 like wide receiver Marqise Lee and potentially defensive tackle Abry Jones. And as for Nick Foles and Yannick Ngakoue, they're both still on the roster, despite there being interest league-wide. Foles has been linked to Chicago, but with Tom Brady heading to Tampa Bay, the Patriots could enter the fold. I'd look for the Jaguars to add a defensive tackle today. Follow Jordan on Twitter for all the latest Jaguars news and analysis. |
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