(03-19-2023, 11:23 PM)NYC4jags Wrote:

(03-19-2023, 02:20 PM)jaglou53 Wrote: Looks like Baalke is taking opposite approach from last season due to vastly different salary cap figure. While this approach makes sense, they still appear to have a big needs at nickel and swing tackle. Pass rush is also a need as is OG unless Bartch improves significantly.

How Baalke/Pederson address these 4 areas in the remainder of free agency and the draft will determine how far they can go next season. Winning the AFC South (assuming Trevor stays healthy) should not be a problem, but in order to beat out the Chiefs, Bengals, Jets (with Rodgers), Dolphins and Chargers to the Super Bowl they must hit home-runs in the draft and what's left in free agency. The improvement of last year's top rookies (Walker, Lloyd and Fortner) will be equally important.

Hopefully they will address one of these 4 areas this week in free agency. There are definitely candidates for swing tackle still available if the price is right. Isaiah Wynn is interesting since he can play multiple positions on the line and is only 27. Possibly he could rejuvenate his career in Jacksonville like Engram and Key did last season. By signing a tackle in free agency they could then strongly consider Torrence with their first pick.

Potential nickels still available are Bryce Callahan (maybe a 1 year deal), Rock Ya-Sin and Chauncey Gardner-Johnson- although he may cost too much. If the Jags could address either nickel or O-Line (preferably both) in the remainder of free agency, they will not be tempted to "reach" for someone at these positions in the draft.

Been saying for a few months now that Nickel, IOL and IDL pass rush were the big needs. Tackle is evolving into a depth/competition need if indeed Cam and Little are your starters as it appears. 

Addressing these 4 spots in the draft and remaining FA is definitely doable. 
It's also definitely screw-upable. 

Not much to do but sit back, hope the staff/FO sense urgency at the same spots, and that they do something smart about it. 

We know this FO will reach for need in the draft a bit - and that can be just fine if they don't reach too far and end up with capable starters. 

Fingers crossed.

I'm afraid if they don't sign a couple free agents this week, the do-able will turn into the screw-upable. Reaching only slightly for need is o.k., but I don't want them passing on someone like Dalton Kincaid in round 2 (not likely to be there, but possible) because they are in desperate need of a nickel or IOL. Kincaid could help this team more than any other player possibly available in round 2. Imagine this offense if Torrence and Kincaid were the 1st 2 picks. Lawrence would feast on defenses who'd have to contend with Ridley, Kirk, Jones, Engram and Kincaid as receiving options on passing downs while Etienne would finally have someone to open up holes for him. The defense definitely needs to improve, but they would also benefit from the improved offense (more rest). 

They can still go after Bryce Callahan this week so they won't be forced to reach for a nickel in the draft. He'd be my top target this week due to his experience at nickel and he'd be an upgrade considering Herndon is the next option.

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