The Jacksonville Jaguars entered the 2023 NFL Free Agency period knowing very well they wouldn't be spending a lot of money. 

With little salary cap space to work with and after being one of the highest-spending teams over the last couple of seasons, the Jaguars were bound to let some critical players go.

That includes offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor and even edge rusher Arden Key. In a recent article for Pro Football Focus, Brad Spielberger actually listed losing Key as his "least favorite" move by the Jaguars this offseason.

That might be a surprise for many considering Taylor was widely seen as one of the best free agents of the offseason. Here's what Spielberger wrote about losing the valuable pass rusher, though:

Key generated at least three quarterback pressures in each of Jacksonville’s final five regular-season games and both playoff games, repeatedly stepping up big when it was do-or-die time.

But even though the Jaguars lost multiple valuable players, their roster depth shined in a quiet year. So much so that Spielberger even points it out in the same PFF article.

Many of their losses are immediately made up by younger players waiting for a chance to be the "next man up." We don't talk about it often enough but the Jaguars have had "in-house replacements" for many of their losses. 

The analyst from PFF lists that as his "favorite" free agency move out of Jacksonville.  

No one highlights this fact as well as OL Walker Little, who was a very serviceable backup for the Jaguars last year and is set to compete for the starting job left open by Taylor's departure.

The Jaguars undoubtedly lost some good players to free agency this offseason, which by itself should be a nice change of pace in Jacksonville, but they also deserve credit for being prepared for many of their departures with young talent waiting in the wings. Tackle Jawaan Taylor signed a massive four-year, $80 million contract with the Kansas City Chiefs, and Jacksonville seems to feel fairly confident in 2021 second-round pick Walker Little stepping up to take his spot.

Little played 206 snaps at left tackle last year and did a decent job as the backup. 

At edge rusher, the Jaguars must get better but they still have Travon Walker and Josh Allen ready to lead the way. 

On the defensive backfield, the team was able to retain Tre Herndon, who gives the team some extra time as they seek their next big-time defensive back to line up opposite Tyson Campbell.

Overall, the recent losses are a reminder of how good this version of the Jacksonville Jaguars is. They've reached the point in which teams around the league are paying big money to their players while they're comfortable betting on what they've got.

Believe it or not, this is shaping up to be a team that will be successful in the long term. Even if they lose key contributors along the way.