4 Jacksonville Jaguars players who may not finish their current deals
With its current limit of around $14 million, Jacksonville will not have nearly enough money to sign free agents or renew players. The team’s officials will seek to restructure certain contracts, but in order to receive relief, they will also need to remove a few veterans outright. The following four may be among those let go.
4. The wide receiver Zay Jones
In his first campaign with the Jaguars, Zay Jones changed the game by establishing records for reception yards and receptions. When he grabbed the game-winning two-point convert in the thrilling victory over the Baltimore Ravens, his effect was clearly seen. Unfortunately, a PCL injury that kept him out of multiple games in 2023 limited Jones’ ability to contribute as much.
Even yet, Jones wasn’t the same dependable player he had been in the past; in the end, he had just 34 catches for 321 yards and two touchdowns. Although there is cause for optimism that he can recover and post figures comparable to those from 2022, he might potentially be a cap casualty.
Zones will have $10.752 million counted against the cap in 2023; however, if he were released, $4.183 million would become available, with $6.5 million in dead money. That could entice the leadership of the team to cut ties with him. The drawback of cutting the former East Carolina Pirate is that they would have a void at receiver because there aren’t any good alternatives on the team at the moment.
The Jaguars may like to cling onto Jones given that Calvin Ridley is also expected to join the open market. They won’t rule out releasing him, though.
3. Safety, Rayshawn Jenkins
The most accurate approach to characterize safety Rayshawn Jenkins has had a patchy tenure with the Jaguars. While it’s certainly preferable than being unimpressive or ordinary, Jacksonville would have preferred him to be a little more dependable. Without a doubt, in 2022, the former Miami Hurricane produced some incredible plays. Josh Allen scored the game-winning touchdown after he forced a turnover in the waning moments. Jenkins’ pick-6 against the Dallas Cowboys was as impressive.
But last year, Jenkins wasn’t quite as dominant. Although he did intercept Lamar Jackson, he wasn’t as active as he was in 2022. It’s also important to remember that during his debut season with the Black & Teal, he was unimpressive. In addition to not having any huge plays, he hit wide receiver Jauan Jennings, which resulted in his ejection from the San Francisco 49ers game. That year, he was appointed team captain. He did not, however, set a good example.
In 2024, the Jaguars will have to decide what to do with him. Jenkins isn’t inherently a poor player. When he signed a $35 million, four-year contract in 2021, you might even argue he was their finest acquisition. Nevertheless, the front management will have to decide if to give him the $12.5 million he is expected to earn in the upcoming season. Letting go of him would free up $5.4 million out of $7.13 million.
Jenkins may find it easier to leave the Jags since they have other priorities than safety. He will be at the top of their list of “cut candidates” when you consider that they already have Antonio Johnson, a sophomore, in place as a possible replacement.
2. Guard Brandon Scherff, right
In 2021, the Jaguars signed a number of players, although none of them were very noteworthy. Rather, they searched the open market for depth and deals. The next year, though, they adopted a completely different strategy and spared no costs in order to secure the greatest talent available. They were able to sign right guard Brandon Scherff, among other players. They had to pay $45.5 million for the deal, so it wasn’t cheap, but it wouldn’t have mattered as long as he strengthened the offensive line up front.
Based on his resume, Scherff’s offer didn’t seem all that ridiculous. Originally selected in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft, the former Iowa Hawkeye was selected to the Pro Bowl five times and was named to the First Team All-Pro during his seven-year tenure with the Washington Commanders. The Jags probably anticipated he would produce on par with them. However, they also knew that he had warning signs for injuries.
Scherff hadn’t participated in a complete season since 2016, enduring various injuries throughout that time. He hasn’t missed a game in Jacksonville, which is surprising. But he hasn’t been nearly as effective as he was in Washington, either. He missed most of 2022 due to an abdominal ailment, but if he could return to full health in 2023, there was no reason to think he could contribute to the Pro Bowl. He didn’t. While he wasn’t awful, he wasn’t excellent either.
If Scherff were a younger player with space to develop, it wouldn’t be a problem. He’s not. Rather, he’s an aged pro who could have passed his prime. Furthermore, he should be prepared to get his walking papers because his performance does not match his pay. He will soon be entering the last year of his 2021 deal; if the Jags decide to cut him, they may save almost $9 million.
The Jaguars must be thinking if they can acquire comparable or even greater output at the position via a free agent or a draft selection in 2024, even if Scherff has been a captain and a leader in the trenches the last two years.
1. Left tackle Cam Robinson
Left-handed tackle Among the players with the longest contracts with the Jaguars is Cam Robinson. It’s not unusual for Robinson, Dawuane Smoot, and Tyler Shatley to have lasted as long as they did, even though NFL careers are short and clubs frequently undergo upheaval. And that speaks highly of him.
Dave Caldwell, the man who picked Robinson, as well as two head coaches, Doug Marrone and Urban Meyer, were both outlasted by Robinson. But in 2024, his time in Jacksonville may come to an end. He will have a huge cap charge of $21.1 million for the upcoming season, but if they let him go, they might be able to release $17.2 million with just $3.8 million in dead money. To put it plainly, even though the club seemed entirely different with the Alabama product on the field last year, team brass might not want to pass up the opportunity to gain that much breathing room.
Following the season, Robinson expressed his desire to remain in Jacksonville, saying the Jaguars would be better off without him. Even though he lacks Pro Bowl caliber, his vicious nature will be much missed. The Jags, however, have choices at the position. A 2021 second-round selection, Walker Little has performed admirably when needed. He may be the position’s long-term solution.
Additionally, left tackle Anton Harrison, who switched to the right side as a rookie, might return to his original position. Robinson’s release or trade could be the wisest course of action for the Jaguars, given that they have too many holes to fill in the offseason.
The Green Bay Packers Hope To Strike Gold With Their First Round Draft Choice
The Green Bay Packers have held the 25th pick in the NFL Draft three times in the Super Bowl-era. It hasn’t gone well.
In 1967, the Packers selected quarterback Don Horn, who served as Bart Starr’s backup for four seasons before being traded. In Horn’s eight-year career, he threw 20 touchdown passes and 36 interceptions.
In 1999, Green Bay took safety Antuan Edwards, whose career was defined by injuries and subpar play. And in 2004, the Packers took undersized cornerback Ahmad Carroll, who was dreadful and released early in his third season with the team.
The Packers own the 25th overall pick again this year and hope things turn out better.
Over the last 20 years, things have gone better for most teams selecting 25th than they did for the Packers. In fact, using history as a barometer, Green Bay has a good chance of finding a high level contributor with the 25th pick in April.
By subjective count, there are five players taken at No. 15 in the last 20 years (25%) that could be labeled “elite.” Ten others (50%) would be called “quality starters.”
Just four players (20%) selected at No. 25 would be considered “below average” starters. And the only one to wear the “bust” label was the infamous Carroll, whose name still causes Packer fans to get queasy.
Here’s a look at the hits and misses of the last 20 players selected at No. 25.
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ELITE PLAYERS
Jon Beason, LB, 2007 (Carolina) — Beason was named to three Pro Bowls and was a two-time All-Pro during a terrific nine-year career. Beason finished with more than 700 tackles, 10 interceptions and four fumble recoveries.
Vontae Davis, CB, 2009 (Miami) — Had a terrific 10-year career with three teams. His best seasons came in Indianapolis (2011-2016), where he was named to two Pro Bowls and had 13 of his 22 career interceptions.
Don’t’a Hightower, LB, 2012 (New England) — Three-time Super Bowl champion and two-time Pro Bowler during brilliant 10-year run with the Patriots. Had 27 career sacks, nearly 600 tackles and was named to the Patriots’ All-Dynasty team.
Xavier Rhodes, CB, 2013 (Minnesota) — Had seven stellar seasons in Minnesota and two more in Indianapolis before spending a month in Buffalo in 2022. Was selected to three Pro Bowls and was named All-Pro twice.
Brandon Aiyuk, WR, 2020 (San Francisco) — Has 269 receptions, nearly 4,000 yards and 25 touchdowns in his first four NFL seasons. Aiyuk is coming off his finest season in 2023 when he caught 75 passes for 1,342 yards and seven TDs.
QUALITY STARTERS
Santonio Holmes, WR, 2006 (Pittsburgh) — Holmes caught nearly 400 career passes for 6,030 yards and 36 touchdowns. He won MVP honors in Super Bowl XLIII after catching the game-winning touchdown with just 35 seconds left.
Mike Jenkins, CB, 2008 (Dallas) — Started 68 games and played in 101 during solid nine-year career. Finished with 10 career interceptions and 54 passes defensed. Made the Pro Bowl with Dallas in 2009 and had three other stops before a 2016 torn ACL eventually ended his career.
James Carpenter, OL, 2011 (Seattle) — Made 128 starts during 11-year career spent with Seattle, the New York Jets and Atlanta. Career earnings totaled nearly $38 million.
Jason Verrett, CB, 2014 (San Diego Chargers) — Quality player whose career was crushed by a 2016 ACL injury and an Achilles tendon tear in 2018. Currently a member of San Francisco’s practice squad.
Shaq Thompson, LB, 2015 (San Diego) — Has made 707 tackles during his first eight seasons with Carolina. Also had four forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and 26 passes defensed before suffering a broken fibula in Week 2 of this season. That injury forced him to miss the rest of the year and his future appears up in the air.
Hayden Hurst, TE, 2018 (Baltimore) — Had 177 receptions and 14 touchdowns during his first five NFL seasons. Didn’t play in 2023 due to post-traumatic amnesia due to a concussion.
Marquise Brown, WR, 2019 (Baltimore) — Has 313 receptions and 28 touchdowns during his first five NFL seasons. After spending three years in Baltimore, the Ravens traded Brown and their third round draft pick to Arizona for the 23rd pick in the 2022 draft.
Travis Etienne, RB, 2021 (Jacksonville) — Rookie year was ruined by a Lisfranc injury, but has rebounded with back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. One of the shiftier, elusive backs in football has 17 total touchdowns the last two seasons.
Tyler Linderbaum, C, 2022 (Baltimore) — Quickly developing into one of the better centers in football. Linderbaum has started 32 games in his first two seasons and allowed just three sacks — including none this year.
Dalton Kincaid, TE, 2023 (Buffalo) — Had terrific rookie season with 73 receptions, more than any rookie in Buffalo history. He also had 673 receiving yards, two TDs and has a remarkably bright future.
BELOW AVERAGE
Jason Campbell, QB, 2005 (Washington) — Campbell played for five teams during an up-and-down, nine year career. Campbell threw for nearly 17,000 career yards and 87 touchdowns, but he went 32-47 as a starter and never could hold onto a starting job with any of the teams he played for.
Tim Tebow, QB, 2010 (Denver) — Went 8-6 as a starter in two seasons with the Broncos. Threw 17 touchdowns and nine interceptions in that time, and also had 12 rushing TDs. Traded to the New York Jets in 2012, lasted just one year there, then the 2007 Heisman Trophy winner couldn’t find anyone else to give him a shot at playing quarterback.
Artie Burns, CB, 2016 (Pittsburgh) — Started 39 games and played in 86 overall during his first eight NFL seasons. Played 14 games this year for Seattle.
Jabril Peppers, S, 2017 (Cleveland) — Has made 79 starts and played in 93 games during a seven-year career that’s taken him to Cleveland, the New York Giants and New England. Career has been slowed by ACL tear and a transverse process fracture.
BUSTS
Ahmad Carroll, CB, 2004 (Green Bay) — Carroll was Mike Sherman’s final first round draft pick as Green Bay’s general manager — and was one of many reasons Sherman eventually lost that job. Carroll was undersized, remarkably brash and picked on by quarterbacks throughout his time in Green Bay. Finally, after Carroll allowed two touchdowns and was penalized three times in the fourth game of his third season, new Green Bay G.M. Ted Thompson released him.
LAST 20 PICKS AT NO. 25
2023 — Dalton Kincaid, TE, Buffalo
2022 — Tyler Linderbaum C, Baltimore
2021 — Travis Etienne, RB, Jacksonville
2020 — Brandon Aiyuk, WR, San Francisco
2019 — Marquise Brown, WR, Baltimore
2018 — Hayden Hurst, TE, Baltimore
2017 — Jabril Peppers, S, Cleveland
2016 — Artie Burns, CB, Pittsburgh
2015 — Shaq Thompson, LB, Carolina
2014 — Jason Verrett, CB, San Diego Chargers
2013 — Xavier Rhodes, CB, Minnesota
2012 — Don’t’a Hightower, LB, New England
2011 — James Carpenter, OL, Seattle
2010 — Tim Tebow, QB, Denver
2009 — Vontae Davis, CB, Miami
2008 — Mike Jenkins, CB, Dallas
2007 — Jon Beason, LB, Carolina
2006 — Santonio Holmes, WR, Pittsburgh
2005 — Jason Campbell, QB, Washington
2004 — Ahmad Carroll, CB, Green Bay
I have covered the Green Bay Packers for several media outlets since 2001, including the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s “Packer Plus” and currently Conley Media. I have
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