The Jacksonville Jaguars 2020 season was one to forget about as they finished just 1-15 for the worst record in the NFL. The good news? The Jags now have the first overall pick in the draft and a ton of cap space, as well as a new general manager and a new head coach to start fresh in Jacksonville.
While it's nearly certain that generational-talent Trevor Lawrence goes first overall and takes snaps for the Jags for the next few years, it's not locked in until the pick is announced.
Nonetheless, the Jaguars will take a quarterback, and new head coach Urban Meyer and General Manager Trent Baalke will have a lot to work with this upcoming offseason.
The Jaguars found a diamond in the rough in undrafted running back James Robinson, who rushed for over 1000 yards and was one of the lone bright spots on the struggling Jags team. Wide receiver DJ Chark and rookie Laviska Shenault are nice pieces for the offense, so whoever is throwing passes next season has some talent around them already.
With all that being said, and with the Jaguars having over $75 million in cap space, let's dive in and take a look at three potential free-agent targets for the new-look Jaguars regime.
3. WR Allen Robinson
Reunion time, perhaps?
Allen Robinson spent his first four seasons as a pro with the Jaguars, and with Robinson hitting free agency, this seems like a sure-fire match made in heaven.
Robinson expressed frustration with the Chicago Bears, and it seems as though he wants to test the open market and receive a big payday that he's due for.
The talented wide receiver had his first 100-reception year in Chicago and had 1250 yards with six scores with Mitchell Trubisky and Nick Foles switching off at quarterback.
Allen Robinson is one of the league's best route runners for millions of subtle reasons — here his stance's left foot starting forward and a quick outside break sell an outside route Trufant has to honor, so all he can do is facemask Robinson when he breaks inside.
Pay this man pic.twitter.com/utvC9zFXPW
— Robert Schmitz (@robertkschmitz) January 18, 2021
The Jaguars can afford it, that's certain. Coach Meyer and the franchise need to surround Lawrence- or whoever it is- with weapons in order to stay competitive, and Robinson had the best year of his career in 2015 with the Jaguars.
He put up career-highs in yards (1400) and touchdowns (14) on just 80 catches that year, and with a guy like Lawrence throwing the ball, those numbers could easily be replicated.
While wide receiver isn't the most pressing need for this squad, a guy like Robinson would be extremely beneficial, especially for a rookie signal-caller under center next season.
2. CB Mackensie Alexander
The Jaguars could surely benefit from an explosive playmaker on defense, a guy who can go after the ball, who can break up passes, and who can read the offense and create havoc for opposing offenses.
The funny thing is, they had that in Jalen Ramsey and shipped him away.
Nonetheless, Mackensie Alexander is a guy who can slide in and help shore up this Jaguars secondary- and the cost might not be too much.
Alexander went from Minnesota to the Cincinnati Bengals and gave the Bengals much needed help in the secondary. He has the versatility that the Jaguars desire, as he can play either side and cover the slot as well.
DJ Hayden is set to hit free agency, and who knows how Baalke and Meyer are going to handle the free agency madness.
2020 first-round pick CJ Henderson is there to stay, so Alexander can slide into the slot or play the nickel package, or even the side opposite Henderson depending on how the offseason goes.
The Jaguars need to shore up the defense and Alexander might be available for a good price.
1. OT Trent Williams
Priority number one needs to be to address the offensive line in an effort to protect their franchise quarterback- whether it's Lawrence or Justin Fields.
The trenches are perhaps the most important aspect of any football team, and the market for lineman will be at an all-time high, especially with so many teams slated to take quarterbacks in the draft.
Trent Williams is a flat out stud, and the Jaguars should offer him however much he wants to make this happen.
Trent Williams murdered a man https://t.co/N6C3n881RU
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) September 13, 2020
The Jaguars allowed 44 sacks in 2020, which is the 7th most in the league, so adding help upfront is a necessity.
Right tackle Kelvin Bauchum could return to Jacksonville, and adding a player like Williams to the left side would make Lawrence feel so much more comfortable in the pocket.
Williams made seven straight Pro Bowls from 2012 to 2018 as a member of the Washington Football Team, before sitting out due to contract issues and personal issues before eventually being traded to the San Francisco 49ers.
Williams would fill a huge void for the Jaguars, and with an already-established running game, and a soon-to-be franchise quarterback taking the realms, the utmost priority needs to be protecting Trevor Lawrence.
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