Story by
Jacksonville Jaguars free agency: Who should they sign? Is a Cooper Kupp trade sensible?
- Story by
- Jacksonville Jaguars free agency: Who should they sign? Is a Cooper Kupp trade sensible?
NFL free agency kicks off in just a few days and the Jacksonville Jaguars are likely to be investors in the open market, bringing in players to raise the floor of their roster ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft .
Both Jaguars head coach Liam Coen and general manager James Gladstone have recently emphasized that the team's draft capital is expansive, signaling the team's likely aggressive approach to the draft and/or free agent.
Advertisement
Jacksonville heads into the draft tied for the most picks with 10, including two picks in both the third and fourth rounds after trades made the last two seasons. The team also has two sixth-round picks.
Still, before Jacksonville brings in collegiate athletes, they'll need to look inward at pro-free agency, which starts on Wednesday, March 12 at 4 p.m., the official start of the new league year. Teams may begin negotiating with prospective free agent's representation beginning on March 10 at noon.
END OF AN ERA: Jacksonville Jaguars reportedly set to release WR Christian Kirk, saving over $10 million
Jacksonville's first major roster decision of the Coen-Gladstone era came Wednesday when it was announced that the team planned to release veteran wide receiver Christian Kirk , saving the team over $10 million in cap space.
Advertisement
Kirk's release not only gives the team more wiggle room in free agency but also opens up a hole at the receiver position. Jacksonville was already expected to invest in the room this offseason, but Kirk's release might increase the urgency there.
Could Jaguars trade for Rams receiver Cooper Kupp ?
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 28: Cooper Kupp #10 of the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on December 28, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
One out-of-free agency move to keep an eye on is the team trading for Los Angeles Rams receiver Cooper Kupp.
Kupp is currently being shopped around the league for any potential trade offers. This idea was floated by the Times-Union earlier this offseason when Kupp was officially put on the market by Los Angeles.
Advertisement
Kupp, who will turn 32 in June, has two years remaining on his contract with LA, including a base salary of $12.5 million in 2025, a $14.85 million base salary in 2025 in addition to a $5 million roster bonus due in 2026.
Kupp is set to count $29,780,000 against the Rams' salary cap this year. Given his prorated bonus being calculated into that amount, it is unclear what Kupp's cap hit would be to Jacksonville's salary cap if they traded for him. The team could work out a deal for the Rams to, in esscense, eat more money to make the trade more palpitable for Jacksonville.
The Rams could also release Kupp, giving him, the Jaguars and other teams room to negotiate directly with the veteran wideout.
Kupp is one of the most decorated and reliable receivers in the league, though he's dealt with injuries in recent history, missing 19 games over the last three seasons combined. Still, he's caught 634 passes for 7,776 yards and 57 touchdowns through eight seasons and has a standing history with Gladstone and Coen from their days in LA.
Advertisement
Kupp has a roster bonus due on March 17, making that the unofficial deadline for something to get done.
Jaguars free agency investment could span multiple position groups
The new logo for the Jacksonville Jaguars hangs on the exterior of the indoor football field at the newly-opened Miller Electric Center practice facility at EverBank Stadium Wednesday, July 19, 2023 in Jacksonville.
With Kirk's release, the Jaguars are set to have about $48,422,446 in cap space at the start of the new league year.
The team is set to have contracts roll into high cap figures in 2026 and beyond, but they still could fill holes given the savings they have from releasing Kirk and the NFL's salary cap increase.
The downside for teams is players will likely enjoy more money as a result of the cap increase, making it a tougher ask for teams to agree to terms with players. Still, the money will be distributed one way or another and Jacksonville ought not to overly concern themselves with an ask from a player they love.
Advertisement
Note: We focused on just a few position groups Jacksonville could target as priorities. There are other position groups worth monitoring, but these will be the primary focus.
Safety: Miami Dolphins S Jevon Holland has ties to coaching staff
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 08: Jevon Holland #8 of the Miami Dolphins reacts after breaking up a pass against the New York Giants during the fourth quarter at Hard Rock Stadium on October 08, 2023 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Holland, 25, had a down year last season after a stellar three-year start to his career with the Dolphins since being drafted near the top of the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
In 60 games, Holland accounted for 301 total tackles (219 solo tackles), nine tackles for loss, five sacks, five forced fumbles, five interceptions, 25 pass breakups and a touchdown.
Advertisement
Holland is a highly-productive starting safety in the league and would immediately bring new energy to Jacksonville's defense led by former Miami Dolphins linebackers coach, now Jaguars defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile.
In 2023, Holland graded out as the third-overall safety in football, according to Pro Football Focus with a defensive grade of 90.4. The Jaguars are likely to let Andre Cisco walk in free agency, opening up a spot immediately for someone to fill.
Other options: Talanoa Hufanga , San Francisco 49ers ; Tre'Von Moehrig, Las Vegas Raiders ; Justin Reid , Houston Texans
Cornerback: Detroit Lions CB Carlton Davis III stands out
Detroit Lions cornerback Carlton Davis III (23) looks on at a timeout against Los Angeles Rams during the second half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
Davis, 28, only overlapped with Coen for a month before he was traded by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the Lions, but could be one of the team's targets based on his play throughout his career.
Advertisement
Davis was originally drafted by the Buccaneers in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He spent seven seasons with the team, starting 88 games. In his career, Davis has played in 76 games, totaling 324 total tackles (310 solos), four forced fumbles, 11 interceptions and 84 pass breakups. Davis posted a career-high 19 pass breakups in 2019.
In 2024, Davis ranked 19th in defense grade among corners with a 74.5 grade, according to PFF. He posted the 21st-best coverage grade at 72.1.
Other options: Charvarius Ward , San Francisco 49ers ; D.J. Reed , New York Jets ; Byron Murphy , Minnesota Vikings
Guard: Indianapolis Colts G Will Fries could bring stability
Aug 13, 2022; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Indianapolis Colts guard Will Fries (75) prior to the game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
Before being lost for the season in Week 5 against the Jaguars last year, Fries was posting a career year in all important metrics, including pass and run blocking. He ranked as one of the top right guards in the NFL.
Advertisement
Fries has steadily gained more snaps with Indianapolis since being drafted in the seventh round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Though he sustained a serious leg injury, he could bring stability to Jacksonville's offensive line, allowing the team to potentially go in a different direction at the top of the draft.
Still, Jacksonville could look to add players to address their depth at the position, too. If Fries comes at a discounted rate due to injury, he becomes a no-brainer to replace Brandon Scherff .
Other options: (G) Tevin Jenkins, Chicago Bears ; (G) Mekhi Becton , Philadelphia Eagles ; Ben Bredeson (G), Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Defensive line: Los Angeles Rams DL Bobby Brown III packs a punch
Dec 25, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Bobby Brown III (95) reacts after a defensive play against the Denver Broncos during the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
With a connection to Gladstone, it wouldn't be surprising if Jacksonville targeted apparently disgruntled defensive tackle Bobby Brown III.
Advertisement
Brown graded out as the 32nd-ranked run defender in the NFL last year, according to PFF.
Noted as being a stout run defender, Brown recently took issue with that label, stating that he's " more than a run defender ," adding that he did not get on the field enough to showcase all of his skills.
Brown, 24, made 29 "stops," defined by NextGenStats as tackles that result in a successful play on defense. That ranked third in LA behind Braden Fiske (38) and Kobie Turner (52).
Since being drafted in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Rams, Browns has started 30 games, accounting for 84 tackles (37 solos), nine tackles for loss, two quarterback hits and a half-sack.
Advertisement
It should be noted, though, that the Rams as a whole have not invested in their defensive line via free agency very often, where Gladstone hails from. They re-signed Michael Brockers and signed Ndamukong Suh during the Sean McVay-Les Snead era (since 2017), according to Rams senior staff writer Stu Jackson .
Others: Da'Shawn Hand, Miami Dolphins; Morgan Fox, Los Angeles Chargers ; Sebastian Joseph-Day , Tennessee Titans
Demetrius Harvey is the Jacksonville Jaguars reporter for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @Demetrius82 or on Bluesky @ Demetrius .
If you're a subscriber, thank you. If not, please consider becoming a subscriber to support local journalism in Northeast Florida .
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville Jaguars NFL free agency: Who should they target in 2025?
