(09-28-2022, 08:56 AM)NYC4jags Wrote: (09-27-2022, 02:39 PM)NoShoes Wrote: I think our big FA days are over. Commit to resigning our own and build through draft.
Allen and Robinson need contracts. Taylor may get franchised if he continues.
Need to set aside cap space for Trevor too
If your franchise literally just broke the all time record for most money spent in free agency, you'd better hope you aren't going to follow that up with more big spending.
Extensions/new contracts for our better talent approaching end of contract or massively outplaying their contract should be a priority.
As far as addressing needs on the roster through FA and the draft:- we may need depth or competition at interior OL depending on how Bartch and Fortner finish the year
- we will likely go after an X receiver - will that be draft or FA?
- we have to add tight ends or re-sign Arnold, Engram and Manhertz - all are impending FAs
- we have to add depth at safety , maybe competition too
- James Robinson needs a deal ASAP
- Marvin Jones will likely be gone - do you pay a guy his age to keep continuity? Probably not
- Role players like Gotsis, Arden Key and Smoot are all set to depart unless paid
- If they want that QB room intact they'll have to pay Beathard
Obviously, they still need to spend some money on some of this ^ but it will have to be a fraction of what they spent in 2022
Will be interesting to see who they let walk and who they pay to stay
It's funny how much difference one year makes in the NFL. Following last season, it was hard to find more than a couple players that would be critical to keep. It looks like Pederson and Baalke will have no choice but to let some good players go. Things are likely to change a lot between now and the end of this season, however these are the decisions I'd make now for 2023:
1. Pay Josh Allen and James Robinson. It's hard to pay running backs, but hopefully a deal can be reached. The guy is definitely special and has earned a big increase in pay.
2. MJJ, Shaq Griffin and Rayshawn Jenkins should not be re-signed. Griffin is an amazing guy in the locker-room and community, but just an average corner being greatly overpaid. Jenkins has started this season playing great and it would hurt to let him go if he continues playing at his current pace. He simply makes too much for someone at the safety position unless they are Ed Reed.
3. Arden Key and Engram both got one year prove it deals. Engram has clearly proven that he can be a very effective tight end in Doug Pederson's offense. Unless he regresses, I'd do everything possible to keep him. Manhertz and Arnold have been ok, but the team can save some money by letting them go. As far as Arden Key goes, I see him signing a good deal with another team following this season. Smoot was an original Jaguar and has improved every year so he will remain on the team.
4. Robertson-Harris has been dominant so far and the team should try to keep him despite the hefty salary he will expect.
5. Jawaan Taylor will be the toughest decision. He has been very good in pass protection so far. If he continues to shine, I believe the Jaguars won't be able to afford what other teams will offer him. There is no guarantee he'll play like this next season after he gets paid. Ideally, Walker Little will improve and allow the team to let Taylor go.
6. If the above moves are made, the draft will need to address the following positions in order of importance: Cornerback, safety, offensive line and X wide receiver. The receiver would have been top priority to begin this season, but the current group has far exceeded everyone's expectations. Tim Jones or Kendrick Pryor can replace MJJ, although his reliability will be missed.
7. Free agency should be pretty dull compared to previous seasons as the priority should be on paying Allen, Robinson, Engram and possibly Taylor or RRH.
If Baalke is as successful with the 2023 draft class as he was this past draft the Jaguars should be set up to be a genuine playoff contender with the possibility of even winning 1 or 2 playoff games next year.
