JACKSONVILLE – The Jaguars got defensive in free agency Tuesday.
After beginning the 2019 NFL League Year with a heavy offensive focus, the Jaguars' fifth free-agent signing of the offseason added depth at linebacker.
Jake Ryan, a fourth-round selection by the Green Bay Packers in the 2015 NFL Draft, on Tuesday signed with the Jaguars as an unrestricted free agent.
Ryan (6-feet-2, 240 pounds), 27, who played collegiately at the University of Michigan, missed the 2018 season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament sustained in training camp. He started 27 of 43 games played with Green Bay, starting five as a rookie in 2015, 10 in 2016 and 12 in 2017.
He has recorded 213 tackles, 144 solos, with a sack and three passes defensed.
Ryan became the fifth UFA signed by the Jaguars since free agency opened last Wednesday. The others: quarterback Nick Foles, tight end Geoff Swaim, offensive tackle Cedric Ogbuehi and wide receiver Chris Conley.
The Jaguars currently have eight linebackers on the roster: Ryan, starting middle linebacker Myles Jack, starting weak-side linebacker Telvin Smith starting strong-side linebacker Leon Jacobs, Nick DeLuca, Blair Brown, Christian Kuntz and Donald Payne.
