JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …

Kyle from St. Augustine, FL

Now that free agency is over, can we finally talk draft? Specifically, what are the biggest needs for the Jags? I say defensive line.

While free agency isn't technically "over," you're correct that the Jaguars' main foray into the area this offseason began and ended last week when they signed nine unrestricted free agents. We've gone over the list here in the O-Zone ad nauseum, and here it is again: Washington Commanders wide receiver Dyami Brown, Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman Chuma Edoga, Tampa Bay Buccaneers center Robert Hainsey, Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis, Los Angeles Rams tight end Hunter Long, Baltimore Ravens guard Patrick Mekari, Minnesota Vikings quarterback Nick Mullens, Vikings tight end Johnny Mundt and Houston Texans safety Eric Murray. The reason the list is pertinent in answering your question is that the Jaguars' idea in free agency was to fill glaring needs so they wouldn't have to focus on those glaring needs in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Jaguars wanted to reach the point where they had a legitimate starter at all positions before the draft – and they signed players such as Hainsey, Brown, Lewis, Mekari and Murray toward that end. Edoga, Long and Mundt give them depth and rotational veterans at key spots and Mullens means the backup quarterback position is set. None of which, of course, means the Jaguars are strong enough at all positions. The positions that seem most likely to be strengthened early in the '25 draft? Let's go with defensive interior, edge rusher, wide receiver and secondary. That's not a comprehensive list because the Jaguars could use upgrading at a lot of positions. Such is the reality for a team after a 4-13 season.

Deane from Hill AFB via Daytona Beach, FL

Yo, O-Zone!!! For the sake of argument let's say with the No. 5 pick General Manager James Gladstone takes a defensive tackle. With our second-round pick would you go with offensive line or wide receiver? Please don't say BPA/best player available. There are a couple of receivers that could be available at that pick that would fit nicely. What says you, O-Zone???

Your question exemplifies the problem with answering some pre-draft questions – and that's that it's impossible to know who a team would take at a certain position without knowing the players available at those positions. This is increasingly true the deeper you go into the draft. Remember: You can't just say the Jaguars should take "A Receiver" at No. 36 overall without knowing the identity the receiver. Has there been a run on the position? Is the available player a better fit the Jaguars than a similarly-graded player at another position? I expect there's a decent chance the Jaguars select defensive lineman early – and I expect there's a very good chance they select wide receiver and secondary on Days 1 and 2. Specifically where they will take each position is impossible to know.

Scott from Daytona Beach, FL

John, I am the same age as you are and even I know that you can copy and paste. I can't believe you type out those same nine names every day.

What's "copy and paste?"

Fred from Naples, FL

"Time will tell if they are considered candidates in the future" … please tell me you were joking, Christian Kirk and Evan Engram have zero chance of getting into the pride. The list is so long for those who would get in before them starting with some guy named Keenan and list is so long you would probably run out of space for this column.

I was recently asked about Kirk and Engram in relation to the Pride of the Jaguars. I don't expect either player to be enshrined, and there is a long list of players who I would push for enshrinement before either player. We talk a lot here in the O-Zone about the importance of being nice. Sometimes it's OK to just be nice.

Bruce Smith from Buffalo

Did you ever hear about the time No. 72 blocked me in a playoff game? I feel like Jags fans should be aware of this ...

You took a swing. You came close. Grab a bat and swing again.

Sal from Austin, TX

Travon Walker is a man on the edge against the run, and his hand fighting is becoming more effective getting to the quarterback, but what he likes is to bull rush. Mano y Mano. So make him a three technique. Let him put on ten pounds, and give him a straight line to the quarterback. One of these edge rushers is going to be there at No. 5. Maybe trade back and see what you can get.

Edge rusher is an intriguing issue entering the 2025 NFL Draft. I expect the Jaguars will address the position. If the draft falls right, that could happen early enough for the player to be a third edge player after defensive ends Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen. If not, the Jaguars perhaps could address it via free agency after the draft. There are often veteran edge defenders available then.

Richard from Jacksonville

Referring Josh from Atlanta's thoughts on Dyami Brown ... I watched all highlights from Brown last year including playoffs. Great speed at 4.44 seconds, great hands even under pressure and no 50-percent drops like Davis. I don't think there is any comparison to be made.

Josh from Atlanta isn't particularly keen on either Jaguars wide receiver Dyami Brown or Jaguars wide receiver Jaguars wide receiver Gabe Davis. Richard feels differently about Brown. That's the way that the world goes 'round, you're up one day, the next you're down.

Sam from Orlando, FL

Camping World Stadium is getting a $400 million makeover. Coincidence?

Stay tuned.

Bryan from Stumptown

Yo, Grizz! Curious if you have any thoughts on how the new regime will use the linebackers. Seems to be unaddressed in free agency/roster cuts. Can we expect more pointless substitutions and players playing out of position? Dare to dream?

I expect the Jaguars' coaching staff will make every effort to play players in proper positions in 2025.

Matthew from Townsville, Tropical, Australia

Hi, O. I love the overall free-agent package. This is indeed like a fresh approach. There are a couple of things I don't get, though. First, letting tight end Luke Farrell walk and then signing two similar tight ends with one of them two years older. What happened to paying the good players the Jags drafted? The San Francisco 49ers certainly value Farrell more than the Jags value Long and Mundt, and Farrell seemed like he would have fit Head Coach Liam Coen's scheme perfectly. Second, if wide receiver Dyami Brown is seen as a "rising player" by the Jags, why only a one-year contract? If he plays like a rising player this year, he'll cost twice as much next year. Do you have some insight into both of these situations?

A couple of thoughts here. One is that while Farrell indeed is a good player who likely will have a long NFL career, the Jaguars changed offenses this season – and both Long and Mundt have experience in schemes similar to that which will be run by Jaguars Head Coach Liam Coen and offensive coordinator Grant Udinski. It's no coincidence that the players and coaches in question both have Vikings/Rams backgrounds. Why did the Jaguars sign Brown to a one-year deal? Because it takes two sides to agree to a contract and Brown – while full of potential – hasn't produced consistently. When/if he does so, a multi-year deal will make sense. Until then, a one-year deal reduces risk.

Bradley from Sparks, NV

Watching last year's targets to Dyami Brown, I couldn't help but notice how quick he is after catching a little flare out or screen or whatever it's called. I also couldn't help but notice how poised, intuitive and the vast amount of athletic intelligence Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels has. I think he will be the best quarterback over the next 10 years. I realize I'm an amateur observer but to me he is the most naturally gifted player I have ever witnessed. Dude is Tom Brady crossed with a cheetah!

So, one fer Brown and another fer Daniels, I suppose.

Armand from Jacksonville

Do you foresee the Jaguars releasing anymore players before the draft?

NFL teams release and sign players for various reasons throughout the offseason, so it's never surprising when a player or two gets released. But if you mean do I expect there to be high-profile, cap-related moves before the draft … no, not necessarily.

Bryan from Lutz

Our last cat would chase the mouse on the end of the string for a few minutes, then ultimately realize that it was getting duped, and just stomp the string attached to it. Fans have been duped by high-priced free agents for decades, but still fall for it every time. Your comparison is unfair to cats.

Fair.