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'Part of our business': Jaguars' Pederson talks free agency process, retention and losses
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- 'Part of our business': Jaguars' Pederson talks free agency process, retention and losses
PHOENIX — Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson's 30 minutes with the media at the NFL's Annual League Meetings in Pheonix, Arizona, on Monday at the Biltmore resort went by quickly with plenty to discuss from the team's perspective on this year's free agency process.
Unlike the last several years, the Jaguars are not as active in free agency, opting instead to utilize the NFL Draft to develop talent for years to come.
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So far, so good, Pederson noted with the retention of several key depth pieces and tight end Evan Engram at the forefront of the team's build.
"Definitely a much different plan than a year ago," Pederson said Monday. "Looking back to last year, there were some things we had to clean up, we had to fix, we had to add some guys — some impact players, which we did. This year was about trying to get our guys back."
Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson meets with local and national media at the NFL Annual League Meetings in Phoenix, Arizona at the Arizona Biltmore resort.
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Frenette: Without spending big, Jaguars playing free agency just right
Last year, the Jaguars acted quickly in the early portion of free agency to sign key free agents, including receivers Christian Kirk and Zay Jones , guard Brandon Scherff , linebacker Foye Oluokun, defensive tackle Foley Fatukasi and Engram.
All of those combined deals cost Jacksonville $175.3 million in guaranteed money.
This year is quite different. The Jaguars have signed only a couple of players, including running back D'Ernest Johnson and defensive linemen Michael Dogbe and Henry Mondeaux .
They've retained several of their own guys, including quarterback C.J. Beathard , running back JaMycal Hasty , cornerback Tre Herndon , Engram, safety Andrew Wingard and defensive lineman Adam Gotsis .
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All of those players, aside from Beathard as the team's backup QB, were impact players last year, Pederson said.
"You want to be able to sign the guys that are the UFAs on your team, those are the guys that were impact players for you," he said. "Like the Andrew Wingards, they were core special teams guys who [in Wingard's case] could play safety, and go in and play and do well."
Special teams were a point of emphasis this time for Pederson, who values the group mightily. Hasty was another player that progressed last season, playing special teams before moving forward with his role in the running back rotation.
"[Signing those guys] gives us the depth that we need, but they're veteran players who have played and they can make an impact on your team."
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NFL Draft remains the focus this offseason
As anticipated prior to the start of free agency earlier this month, the Jaguars remain focused on the draft-and-develop mentality.
The players the team selects, and have selected, will have to be the players to step up and make an impact moving forward.
"They're gonna have to be the ones — the draft picks these last couple of seasons — are going to be the guys now that have to really step up," Pederson explained.
"I think of obviously Travon [Walker] last year, Devin Lloyd, and the year before, [safety] Andre Cisco , [cornerback] Tyson Campbell , you know, [running back] Travis Etienne, those young players are still gonna make a big impact."
Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Tyson Campbell (32) celebrates with teammates and a DUVAL chain from a fan in the stands after his late third quarter interception. The Jacksonville Jaguars hosted the Tennessee Titans to decide the AFC South championship at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, FL, Saturday, January 7, 2023. The Jaguars went into the half trailing 7 to 13 but came back to win with a final score of 20 to 16.
The Jaguars saw a major jump from Campbell and Cisco last season, and expect a similar leap from Walker and Lloyd, the team's two first-round picks from a year ago.
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"That's why the draft is so important, and that's why you have to draft. Your picks have gotta be, they've got to be impact players. They've got to have some kind of niche on your football team," Pederson explained.
The Jaguars currently have $10,272,027 in cap space, according to OverTheCap.com. The ability to make many moves is null this year.
The future continues to be about the core of players the team has, with potentially 21 starters returning from a year ago.
"You want to be right because eventually we're going to have to re-sign the guys there. We know they're going to be free agents as well," Pederson said. "And we want to be able to re-sign guys too, because that, to me, is keeping your core together as much as you can and as best as you can. I think really helps the overall success of your team."
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Pederson understands the nature of free agency, losing Taylor, Key
While the Jaguars have efforted to retain their own players, they were not able to keep a couple of key pieces, including right tackle Jawaan Taylor and defensive lineman Arden Key .
"Both guys were very impactful for us. Jawaan, obviously as you mentioned, is a starter and you hate to see him go but I get it, that's part of our business and that's what's gonna happen," said Pederson. "I wish him all the best and success in Kansas City, but now it's us. It's about moving forward."
Jacksonville Jaguars offensive tackle Walker Little (72) celebrates after teammate place kicker Riley Patterson (10) kicked a field goal with 5 seconds on the clock to tie up the game and send it into overtime against the Cowboys. The Jacksonville Jaguars hosted the Dallas Cowboys at TIAA Bank Field Sunday, December 18, 2022. The Jaguars trailed 21 to 7 at the half but came back to win 40 to 34 with a pick six by Jacksonville Jaguars safety Rayshawn Jenkins (2) in overtime. [Bob Self/Florida Times-Union]
The next man up is rising third-year tackle Walker Little , who started several games down the stretch last year for Jacksonville. It's an opportunity for Little, now, to step up, Pederson said, while also leaving the door open for the team to address the position in the draft.
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"I do believe there's some good offensive lineman in this draft that, if the right guy is there, obviously, we'll see how it all plays out," he said.
Pederson mentioned Key, who joined the Tennessee Titans this year, as a player that made an impact as a pass rusher and leader on defense.
"It's hard to replace, but you look to the draft, you know, edge rushers [defensive], tackles, whatever it might be that can come in and help replace and that's what I'm talking about. You're gonna lose some guys but you have to be right on your draft picks," said Pederson.
That's the route the Jaguars are taking now. Building through the draft, while retaining the players they've already developed into quality starters. A different philosophy for the team of late, but one Pederson and general manager Trent Baalke believe in.
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Demetrius Harvey is the Jacksonville Jaguars reporter for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on Twitter at @Demetrius82 .
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jaguars' Doug Pederson talks free agency, building team forward
