Jacksonville Jaguars' first free agency moves set the tone for a potential climb up the AFC South standings in 2025
We knew the Jacksonville Jaguars would be active on the first two days of the legal tampering period for the 2025 off-season. However, who would have known that they would be going into the new year having nine players expected to sign with them. The Jaguars are still doing some work, and they still have […]
We knew the Jacksonville Jaguars would be active on the first two days of the legal tampering period for the 2025 off-season. However, who would have known that they would be going into the new year having nine players expected to sign with them.
The Jaguars are still doing some work, and they still have the 2025 NFL Draft to plan for, especially now that they know which draft picks they have, and where they will be drafting. So, there is still a lot to look forward to in both the free agency period, where we can expect maybe a few more moves, maybe not, and the draft, where they have 11 picks to use.
But, now that the new league year has officially begun, we can go ahead and grade the Jaguars’ moves that they have made in free agency. Unless something completely unforeseen happens, these deals will go through as agreed upon.
Grading Jacksonville Jaguars' 2025 Free Agency Moves
Slot CB Jourdan Lewis
The Dallas Cowboys willingly let one of the best slot cornerbacks in the league walk away from their team in free agency. So the Jaguars took advantage and paid him like he's the best slot in the league. And, maybe they believe that he is that and can show that with the pieces around him like the Jaguars have. Getting him on the deal they did was huge for the Jaguars. Because of the player, this is graded high, but because it wasn't a huge need, in the play style and role that he plays, I had to give it a lower grade than maybe most would.
I'd grade this a B+.
QB Nick Mullens
I have to say that the way they went about getting their backup this offseason is much better than how they did it last season. Trading a sixth round pick for a rental backup QB in Mac Jones, just to still be bad, is not ideal at all. Mullens is a veteran that kind of knows the system and knows a ton of systems throughout the league. This is the perfect backup for Trevor Lawrence, who has missed some games the last few years.
I'd grade this move, knowing the purpose of the move, an A.
OG Patrick Mekari
New general manager James Gladstone mentioned a few times that the top priority was to get Trevor Lawrence some protection. They did just that with Mekari, a guy who has protected Lamar Jackson with the Baltimore Ravens, fairly well. And, at this point anything is an upgrade. The contract is a bit much, but the Jaguars likely had to overpay to get him to Jax.
I'd grade this move a B, simply because of the overpay and the OG market.
C Robert Hainsey
This one comes back to the same thing with protecting Lawrence, but also, Hainsey fills a need with Mitch Morse retiring. And, Hainsey knows Liam Coen's offense from his time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Hainsey was part of the reason the Bucs were able to fix their run game, making this a huge signing for Jacksonville, too.
This, to me, was one of their best moves simply because of the connection, and the areas that Hainsey fixes. I'd grade this move an A.
WR Dyami Brown
A year of a deep threat with speed to go along with Brian Thomas Jr., and for cheap, too? Sign me up. This is arguably one of their best moves of the offseason. The only thing is, if all goes well, they are going to have to pay him a ton of money the offseason after this one. I personally love the signing and what he will be able to do in this offense.
I'd grade this move an A.
TE Hunter Long and TE Johnny Mundt
These two signings don't really move the needle for me. I get them, somewhat. They needed to add two tight ends after losing one to the San Francisco 49ers, and another after releasing Evan Engram. However, both of these guys are primarily pass and run blocking TEs in jumbo sets. That's what the Jags will do a lot under Coen, but Lawrence also needs some weapons. Who knows, maybe they address the TE room in the 2025 NFL Draft.
I'd grade these moves a C.
OT Chuma Edoga
The Jaguars needed to address some of the depth of their offensive line, and getting Edoga to do that on the deal they got isn't too bad. This move isn't anything crazy, but it's a decent move, one that needed to be done.
I'd grade this a B-.
S Eric Murray
This has to be the worst of the moves. And, it's not because Murray is a bad player, he actually had a decent season last year for the Houston Texans. However, he is getting paid to be a starter in the league, and I'm just not sure he is good enough to be a full-time starter, or if he even will start over guys like Darnell Savage or Antonio Johnson. But, I guess only time will tell.
I'd grade this move a solid C.
