Should the Jacksonville Jaguars still add to the wide receiver position in free agency? The Athletic's NFL insider Jeff Howe believes that's the case.
The Athletic recently identified the biggest remaining needs for each team heading into the draft. Instead of choosing the defensive line, Howe went with the receiver position.
"The Jags still have plenty of needs, but there’s a glaring hole at receiver behind Brian Thomas," wrote Howe. "Stefon Diggs (now signed by New England), Keenan Allen, Amari Cooper, Tyler Lockett, Josh Reynolds (cut by Jaguars) and Elijah Moore are among the best available. It’s probably not a spot where they want to draft a wideout at No. 5, so they should find a lower-cost veteran beforehand."
There are several reasons why an addition at receiver prior to the draft would make sense. As Howe mentions, there are some unknowns on the receiver depth chart behind Brian Thomas Jr. While there are options when it comes to filling that WR2 role, including Dyami Brown, Parker Washington, and Gabe Davis, it's not a given either that any of those players can consistently fill that role. So a proven veteran presence added to the equation can add some stability in that regard.
In addition to that, the Jaguars have the salary cap flexibility to make an addition, with $35.73 million in available cap space, according to Over the Cap, which ranks as the ninth-most.
This also is not a very deep draft class at the position, so options may be limited. Arizona's Tetairoa is considered the top receiver in this class, however, picking him at fifth overall, value-wise, may not be the prudent move.
So, yes, there are reasons to add to this position in free agency still. However, my guess is that's not in the cards for the Jaguars. While not referring to any one position specifically, GM James Gladstone mentioned during his free agency press conference that, with 10 draft picks, there needs to be room on the roster for some of those rookies to come in and earn playing time.
"We're going to have to have some spots that are actually open for [draft picks] to insert," Gladstone said. "So [adding] a veteran at this point could be just standing in the way. We're going to allow these rookies to get a chance to get out on the field and help us this coming fall."
The combination of Thomas, Davis, Washington, Brown, and a free agent is already five wide receivers, and makes fitting a draft pick or two on the roster or finding those rookies playing time a bit difficult. Although the Jaguars have made 10 free agent signings so far, Gladstone's goal was to raise the roster floor. As he's discussed, his plans are to build and elevate the roster through the draft.
This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: Jaguars free agency: NFL insider believes WR addition should be made
