Should the Jaguars be Interested in any of the Rams Cap Casualties?

2/22/2016

The Rams recently parted ways with three of their most experienced veterans. Defensive end Chris Long, tight end Jared Cook, and middle linebacker James Laurinaitis are all now on the open market. All three players have at some point in their career had high levels of success … so, could the Jags be interested in any of them?

By Jordan de Lugo

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James Laurinaitis
Sure, Laurinaitis has been highly productive in his seven seasons with the Rams, but he is heading into his eighth season and has been steadily declining over the past several years. He has never made a Pro Bowl and will turn 30 during next season. The only reason the Jaguars would need to bring in a middle linebacker would be to groom one for the future, as they already have a quality starter in Paul Posluszny. Adding Laurinaitis really wouldn't make a lot of sense for the Jags as he isn't as good as Paul Posluszny, is about to be on the wrong side of 30, and will surely be expecting to get paid like a starter. Don't expect the Jags to make a run at this guy.

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Jared Cook
The Rams parting ways with Cook is less of a surprise. He has had an inconsistent career and in 2015 he caught only 39 passes and failed to reach the end zone even once. Cook is not a complete tight end as he is more of a pass catching threat than a blocker, but he isn't even that good at pass catching anymore. I would be shocked if the Jaguars elect to take a look at the 28 year old Jared Cook as they already have a great pass catching threat in Julius Thomas.

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Chris Long
Long is by far the most interesting player in terms of what he could bring to the Jaguars. He, like his former teammates Laurinaitis and Cook, has been on the decline as of late. He has missed almost half the games over the past two seasons and in that span has recorded only four sacks. Long, who is now 30 definitely appears to be past his prime, but he could be a valuable asset if he could be had at the right price. Prior to the injury bug catching up to him, Long was a highly productive defensive end. From 2011 to 2013 Long racked up 33 sacks, averaging 11 sacks per season in that span. Could Long be a pass rush option for the Jags? Maybe, but only at the right price. In my opinion the Jaguars would be much better off bringing back Ryan Davis, getting Sen’Derrick and Dante ready for the season, and bringing in a couple of other pass rushers that are not so long in the tooth as the aging Chris Long.

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