Just now, the Jaguars have signed this outstanding pro-bowl running back, who is widely regarded as a top pick by all NFL teams.
This exceptional pro-bow rushing back, who is thought to be a top pick by every NFL team, was just signed by the Jaguars.
Florida’s Jacksonville NFL free agency has begun, and with analysis from our NFL Nation writers and expert ratings, we’re keeping tabs on every significant signing, trade, and release of the 2024 offseason. Free agent signings can become official after the new league year kicks off on Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET. ESPN will air the first round of the 2024 NFL draft on April 25.
The Jacksonville Jaguars signed the following free agents in 2024; this is a summary of each signing and how it will affect the team’s upcoming season:
According to a source, Armstead is inking a $31 million, three-year contract with the Jaguars.
What it means: Adding Armstead essentially resolves the Jaguars’ primary defensive line weakness, which was the interior line. When healthy, he is one of the NFL’s most dominant interior defensive lineman, despite missing 13 games over the previous two seasons. With him, the Jaguars will have an interior pass rush presence, which will make Josh Allen and Travon Walker—edge rushers who combined for 27.5 sacks last season—even more potent.
By signing Armstead, the Jaguars can also choose to target another urgent need, cornerback, in the first round rather than defensive line. In 2015, San Francisco selected Armstead in the first round by current general manager Trent Baalke.
The risk: Armstead turned 31 in November, is recovering from meniscus surgery, and broke his ankle in 2022. Those are some things to be aware of. But from 2018 to 21, Armstead played in every game and recorded 22.5 sacks.
According to a source who spoke with ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Davis is joining the Jaguars on a three-year, $39 million contract that includes $11 million at signing.
What’s the risk? Davis is a nice addition, but he’ll probably finish second behind Christian Kirk because the Jaguars don’t have a genuine No. 1 receiver. Which isn’t necessarily a terrible thing, considering how successful the Jaguars’ offense was in 2022 when they didn’t have a No. 1 and instead relied on tight end Evan Engram, Kirk, Jones, and Marvin Jones Jr. Though signing Davis doesn’t stop the Jaguars from searching for a receiver in the first three rounds of the draft, Davis is an improvement over Jones, who was nearing the end of his career.
On Monday, a league source verified that Morse and the Jaguars had reached an agreement on a two-year deal worth $10.5 million.
What it means: Morse is the starting center, but the Jaguars had to at least challenge third-year center Luke Fortner, who struggled the previous season (according to ESPN Stats & Information, he ranked 31st among centers in pass block win rate). Despite being 31 years old, he is still performing at a high level. With the Buffalo Bills in 2022, he was selected to the Pro Bowl and had the 14th-highest pass block victory percentage among centers. Fortner may now finish out the last two seasons of his rookie contract.
What’s at risk: The Jaguars had no choice but to make this move, and as a result, at least three of their starters—LT Cam Robinson, RG Brandon Scherff, and Morse—are in their eighth or more season. Given that Morse and Fortner are now bound by the same contract, the Jaguars may need to address the center once more following 2025. The offensive line will also need to be addressed in the upcoming summer because Robinson and swing tackle Walker Little are in the last year of their contracts.
What it means: By signing Cleveland, the Jaguars secured contracts for 2024 from left tackle Cam Robinson, center Luke Fortner, right guard Brandon Scherff, right tackle Anton Harrison, and Cleveland, whom they considered to be their best offensive line in 2023.
After being acquired in a mid-season trade, Cleveland only made five starts for the Jaguars, but general manager Trent Baalke saw him as the answer to a left guard rotation that was in need of replacements. In 2023, four players—Cleveland, Walker Little, Tyler Shatley, and Ben Bartch—started there, including Cleveland. Cleveland might be utilized again in a pinch at left tackle, where he started one game the previous season.
What’s at risk: The incapacity to run the ball inside and short yardage were two of the key reasons why the Jaguars’ run game suffered in 2023. This was particularly clear in the season finale vs. Tennessee, where, with a late lead of eight points, the Jaguars did not even attempt to run the ball inside on third and fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line. Cleveland fits well with the Jaguars’ zone scheme, but for the short-yardage success to increase, the inside of the offensive line needs to get much better and stronger.
What it means: Rayshawn Jenkins, whom the Jaguars released last week, needed a replacement. To that end, they are adding a man who has started 69 games and intercepted nine passes during his five seasons with Green Bay. This suggests that Antonio Johnson, a second-year player, wasn’t considered ready for a significant role as a starter by the Jaguars, though he will still be a valuable nickel in the rotation.
Another issue to think about is free safety. Savage has played free safety for the Packers, so he could slide over and Johnson take over as the strong safety in 2025. Andre Cisco is about to reach the end of his rookie contract.
What’s at risk: Ryan Nielsen, the new defensive coordinator, has not yet revealed the specifics of his game plan. In his opening press conference, he stated that while his worldview may appear to be more man-centered than it truly is, it is “nothing cheap and nothing deep.” Although they still have work to do at cornerback, the Jaguars may choose to target that position in the first round of the draft.
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