The Jacksonville Jaguars have a significant number of players set to be free agents in 2022. The biggest issue for the Jaguars is not who they have hitting free agency but who they bring in to improve their lackluster roster. With one of the better cap situations in the NFL, Jacksonville is in a good position to improve their roster in free agency.
Jacksonville Jaguars free agents in 2022
Following the conclusion of the 2021-22 NFL season, the Jaguars have 23 players with expiring contracts. 18 of them will be unrestricted free agents, two are exclusive rights free agents, and three are restricted free agents. All players are unrestricted free agents unless stated.
- A.J. Cann | G
- Andrew Norwell | G
- Cam Robinson | T
- DJ Chark | WR
- Taven Bryan | DT
- Damien Wilson | LB
- Jihad Ward | DE
- Tre Herndon | CB
- Tyler Shatley | C
- James O’Shaughnessy | TE
- Nevin Lawson | CB
- Adam Gotsis | DE
- Tavon Austin | WR
- Lerentee McCray | DE
- Jacob Hollister | TE
- Laquon Treadwell | WR
- Tyrell Adams | LB
- Will Richardson Jr. | T
- Chapelle Russell | LB (ERFA)
- Dare Ogunbowale | RB (RFA)
- Terry Godwin | WR (ERFA)
- Andrew Wingard | S (RFA)
- Dakota Allen | LB (RFA)
Top Jaguars offensive free agents
The Jaguars have several offensive starters set to hit free agency. Most importantly, they need to avoid the destruction of their offensive line. Let’s take a look at the most prominent free agents on offense.
Cam Robinson, Andrew Norwell, and A.J. Cann | OL
Three-fifths of the Jaguars’ offensive line is no longer under contract. The Jaguars retained Cam Robinson in 2021 via the franchise tag. They don’t want to do it again, but if it comes down to another tag or letting him walk, they will tag him.
Robinson is just 26 years old. Although he made nearly $14 million last season, Robinson is worth it. The Jaguars should do what they can to extend him.
Andrew Norwell was also effective at left guard. There is value in keeping an offensive line together. The team has had the same five linemen as their starters for three consecutive seasons. Norwell is a quality pass-blocking guard and someone the Jaguars should explore retaining. However, they shouldn’t let any allegiance to him deter them from seeking an upgrade, if possible.
A.J. Cann has been somewhat inconsistent during his seven-year career. Prior to 2021, he was always healthy. Now 30 years old and coming off a season where injury limited him to just four games, the Jaguars may not prioritize retaining him. Cann made $5 million last season. Whether the Jaguars bring him back will likely come down to cost.
DJ Chark Jr. | WR
After four years with the Jaguars, DJ Chark Jr. looks poised to continue his career elsewhere. Chark has been the Jaguars’ WR1 since his breakout 2019 campaign, but he struggled in 2020 before injury limited him to just four games in 2021.
The Jaguars will likely move forward with Marvin Jones Jr. and Laviska Shenault Jr. as their top two wide receivers. I fully expect them to spend a Day 2 pick (if not a first-rounder) on a wide receiver in this year’s draft. Chark should have a fair amount of suitors in free agency. I expect him to land a starting job wherever he ends up.
Top Jaguars defensive free agents
The Jaguars have a couple of defensive starters hitting free agency. They may be preparing to let several players walk.
Taven Bryan | DT
Last offseason, the Jaguars declined Taven Bryan’s fifth-year option, setting the stage for him being a free agent this year. The writing appears to be on the wall for Bryan. By the end of the 2021 season, Bryan had become a healthy inactive. The former first-round pick has simply failed to live up to expectations.
Of course, there’s still a chance the team and Bryan work out an extension. However, it appears as though Bryan will be with another team in 2022.
Damien Wilson | LB
Damien Wilson recorded over 100 tackles in 2021. Entering his age-29 season, Wilson has likely done enough to earn an extension offer from the Jaguars. Whether it’s enticing enough to keep him in Jacksonville is another story.
Wilson made $2 million last season. He will undoubtedly be looking for more money and a multi-year deal in March. If Wilson doesn’t re-sign with the Jaguars, he will find a starting job somewhere else.