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Jacksonville Jaguars free agency: Who could the team target after the first wave?
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- Jacksonville Jaguars free agency: Who could the team target after the first wave?
The Jacksonville Jaguars kicked off the free agency negotiations period with nine term-agreements, bringing in a slew of both starters and depth players to raise the floor of their roster.
Jaguars general manager James Gladstone is laying the foundation for Jacksonville to utilize the team's league-high 10 draft selections next month.
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HERE IT IS: Jacksonville Jaguars NFL free agency fan guide: Analysis, instant grades, contract details
Still, there are spots Jacksonville could fill ahead of time, giving them ample talent to enter the draft without any extreme needs.
Jacksonville's initial round of free agency accomplished the second point for the most part.
Jaguars first wave of free agency brings in OL, secondary starters
OWINGS MILLS, MARYLAND - AUGUST 17: Guard Patrick Mekari #65 of the Baltimore Ravens looks on during the Baltimore Ravens Training Camp at Under Armour Performance Center Baltimore Ravens on August 17, 2020 in Owings Mills, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Here are the players the Jaguars are expected to officially sign on Wednesday, March 12 at 4 p.m., the start of the new league year.
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CB Jourdan Lewis , Cowboys
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QB Nick Mullens , Vikings
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TE Johnny Mundt , Vikings
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TE Hunter Long , Rams
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WR Dyami Brown , Commanders
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S Eric Murray , Texans
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OL Patrick Mekari , Ravens
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OT Chuma Edoga , Cowboys
Who could the Jaguars target in the second wave of free agency?
Jan 13, 2025; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) is sacked by Los Angeles Rams cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon (4) during the first half in an NFC wild card game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Though the Jaguars were precise with their projected moves on Monday, as of Tuesday afternoon, the franchise hadn't sewn up all the holes left by the previous regime.
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Jacksonville entered free agency needing a starting cornerback outside opposite of Tyson Campbell and they remain in that situation. Jacksonville signed Lewis to man their nickel position, which was split between Jarrian Jones and Darnell Savage last season.
The Jaguars also addressed one safety position with Andre Cisco expected to move on to the Jets .
The Jaguars could use more receiver help, too, after trading Christian Kirk to the Houston Texans . Veteran WR Gabe Davis is still recovering from in-season knee surgery and may not be ready to suit up until training camp.
Finally, the team has not addressed their defensive line, particularly at their EDGE position.
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The likely scenario is that Jacksonville has completed a large part of its free agency efforts and will now turn toward the draft.
Still, there are a few players that could make sense to sign or look back on later.
Emmanuel Ogbah , EDGE, Miami Dolphins
Nov 13, 2022; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah (91) takes the field prior to the game against the Cleveland Browns at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
Ogbah, 31, has been a productive player since entering the league as a second-round pick, drafted by the Cleveland Browns in 2016.
He's played for three franchises in nine years including the Browns (2016-18), Kansas City Chiefs (2019) and the Miami Dolphins (2020-24).
Ogbah has played in 123 games (87 starts), totaling 317 tackles (185 solos), 50 tackles for loss, 112 quarterback hits, 47.5 sacks and nine forced fumbles.
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Last season, Ogbah started 16 games, accounting for five sacks. That would have placed him third on Jacksonville's roster last year behind Travon Walker (10.5) and Josh Hines-Allen (eight) in sacks.
Azeez Ojulari , EDGE, New York Giants
New York Giants linebacker Azeez Ojulari (51). Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Ojulari, 24, would be a low-risk, potentially high-reward signing after he spent the first four years of his career with the Giants.
Ojulari was drafted in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft and set the rookie franchise record for the Giants in sacks with eight.
Ojulari is more of a pure pass-rush specialist with the ability to play behind Hines-Allen and Walker as a depth player. He has accounted for 22 sacks, 21 tackles for loss and 59 solo tackles in his career through 46 games (30 starts).
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Ahkello Witherspoon , CB, Los Angeles Rams
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - JANUARY 13: Ahkello Witherspoon #4 of the Los Angeles Rams breaks up a pass intended for Justin Jefferson #18 of the Minnesota Vikings during the third quarter during the NFC Wild Card Playoff at State Farm Stadium on January 13, 2025 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Witherspoon, 29, is an experienced corner who has started 22 games for the Rams over the last two seasons combined.
In eight years, Witherspoon has played for three franchises including the San Francisco 49ers (2017-20), Pittsburgh Steelers (2021-22) and the Rams (2023-24).
Witherspoon has started 62 games over his career, accounting for 235 total tackles (198 solos), 12 interceptions and 58 pass breakups.
The Jaguars could use Witherspoon as a placeholder starter this year and Gladstone's familiarity with the corner could make for an easy situation.
Elijah Moore , WR, Cleveland Browns
Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Montaric Brown (30) tackles Cleveland Browns wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) during the second quarter of an NFL football matchup Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Browns defeated the Jaguars 18-13. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
Though the Jaguars brought in Brown already, his role likely is to play behind or with Brian Thomas Jr. outside with the potential to slot inside if needed.
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Moore would be a pure slot receiver that can replace Kirk for likely half, or less, of the price.
Moore began his career with the New York Jets after being drafted near the top of the second round in the 2021 NFL Draft. He played two seasons (2021-22) with New York before being traded to the Browns ahead of the 2023 season.
Moore has started 40 games in his career, playing in 61. He's caught 200 passes for 2,162 yards and nine touchdowns through four years.
Last season with Cleveland, Moore caught 61 passes for 538 yards and one TD.
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 .
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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville Jaguars NFL free agency: What's next after first wave?
