Signing rookies isn't going to take up a significant portion of our cap space, which means the bulk of the cap space is going towards re-signing some of our own players to long term deals and towards free agents.  Julius Thomas and Demarco Murray are the most likely "top tier" players that will hit free agency.  Murray's negatives are the amount of touches he's had and the fact that he's in his prime right now and falling off a cliff is likely a season or two away.  That's not really what the Jaguars need in a running back and they may be better suited by spending a 3rd or 4th rounder on the position in what looks like a quality running back class.  

 

I believe that leaves us in a situation that we may be forced into overpaying guys this year, due to the amount of money available to us and to the supposed scarcity of top end talent in free agency this year.  Things will surely get clearer as we approach free agency, but as of right now I'd say it's highly likely the Jaguars make a strong push for Julius Thomas.  If it's strictly about money for Thomas, I think he'll be playing here next year.  

 

The one thing that might change that is if Suh makes it to free agency and the Jaguars covet him enough to give him the Mario Williams type deal which he is due to get from whoever signs him.  If Suh is available and the Jaguars decide to break the bank to bring him here, then Thomas may find the bigger pay day elsewhere.  At any rate, this should be as exciting a free agency period as the Jaguars have ever experienced.  

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