NFL execs weigh in on Jaguars' free agency approach
· Yahoo Sports
With the dust having settled on the NFL's free agency period, a few NFL execs shared their thoughts on how things played out for the Jacksonville Jaguars with The Athletic's Mike Sando.
In what was a quiet free agency period for the Jaguars, a lot of the outside focus is on who Jacksonville lost this offseason, with Devin Lloyd signing with Carolina and Travis Etienne with New Orleans. That is a lot of production on each side of the ball that now has to be replaced.
Visit moryak.biz for more information.
“Those might have been their two best players,” an exec told Sando. “They are trying to win comp picks to get a couple third-rounders for next year. OK, we’ll see. The question is, do they know what to do with them? Because the receiver they traded two No. 1s to get (Travis Hunter) did nothing.”
As GM James Gladstone himself described, the Jaguars have been very mindful this offseason of the 2027 compensatory picks they are projected to receive. That compensatory pick formula can be impacted by who the Jaguars re-sign in free agency and which outside free agents they bring in, hence the lack of moves made.
Also not helping matters is that the Jaguars do face a tight salary cap situation as well this offseason.
Although replacing Lloyd and Etienne won't be easy, the Jaguars are bullish about those who remain on the roster at linebacker, specifically Ventrell Miller, and are optimistic about what Chris Rodriguez can add at running back.
“(GM James) Gladstone said he likes having comp picks to acquire guys like Jakobi Meyers at the deadline,” another exec said to Sando. “It seems like they at least have a definitive plan.”
In addition to the moves made -- or not made -- in free agency by the Jaguars, Brian Thomas Jr.'s name has come up often this offseason in trade speculation.
Both Liam Coen and Gladstone have, however, been adamant that Thomas Jr. isn't going anywhere. However, some of those outside of the organization still remain skeptical about that.
"The Brian Thomas situation is interesting,” another exec said to Sando. “It’s smart to hold onto him. He is too young to give up on that early. I could see him being moved on draft day, if people’s favorite receivers get picked.”
This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: NFL free agency: Execs evaluate Jaguars' offseason plan