Big Cat Country
With the NFL tampering period fast approaching, we share our favorite free agent fits for Jacksonville and our predictions for Liam Coen and James Gladstone's inaugural free agent class.
Welcome to Big Cat Country’s staff roundtable!
With the 2025 NFL Free Agency negotiation (tampering) period set to kick off on Monday, March 10th, the BCC staff took a few moments to discuss their predictions on where this Jacksonville Jaguars’ free agent class may land.
Dillon Appleman: Considering early indicators that the Jaguars are likely to prioritize the trenches early in the 2025 NFL Draft, I think it’s safe to say the secondary is where the early attention will go in free agency. It’s a pretty good market at both corner and safety, and Jacksonville could use a couple of reliable veterans at both spots to help patch up the league's worst pass defense.
Simon Carroll (Si): With little in the way of precedent to go on with regard to front office tendencies, it’s difficult to be sure. That being said, any reinforcements on the offensive line or in the secondary - two areas of the field where the Jaguars have notoriously struggled to stay healthy, would be welcomed.
Caitlin Connor: I hope the Jaguars focus their attention on the offensive line and the secondary. We all saw how both position groups struggled during the previous season, so with this year’s free agency market and only two players being franchise-tagged, the front office has an opportunity to find veterans to fill those roles.
Travis Holmes: I have a strong belief that this is the Jaguars front office that will finally make the necessary heavy investments into the secondary room. I foresee the team bringing in both a day-one free agent cornerback and at least safety to build up Anthony Campanile’s revamped defense. In Green Bay, the Packers’ defense was known to be extremely versatile in their coverage looks, with a moderate lean towards zone coverages over man. This would be a significant about face from Ryan Nielsen’s primarily press-man defense in 2024.
Gus Logue: The offensive and defensive lines would be a good place to start, though the Jaguars would also be wise to shore up their roster at relatively undervalued positions in free agency. Look at what the Eagles did last offseason when they signed RB Saquon Barkley, RG Mekhi Becton, LB Zach Baun, and S C.J. Gardner-Johnson. Jacksonville should look to sign a starting-caliber guard and safety at the start of free agency this year.
Henry Zimmer: After the purge of skill position players that happened Wednesday, I think wide receiver is going to be a group the Jags can spend money on. We are back to Trevor Lawrence not having many options to throw to outside of Brian Thomas Jr., so he is going to need a big name or two to add to that...
