JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
Kevin from Jacksonville
I don't understand fans, Zone. They think they know more than Gladstone about roster-building. I don't get the negativity.
I suppose we'll lead off this Monday O-Zone here, then perhaps soon ease into the aftermath of free agency before looking toward the draft. But while the fan reaction to the Jaguars' free-agency foray last week has been largely – and correctly – positive and optimistic, there have been a few naysayers saying nay to the nine-member 2025 free agency class. The reason, one must assume, is there was little name recognition in the group. The nine players who signed last week -- 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 – weren't high-profile names and many of them were therefore reasonably priced. That was part of the appeal. The bigger part of the appeal for the Jaguars was they signed five starters – Brown, Hainsey, Lewis, Murray and Mekari. They believe they improved the interior of the offensive line and the defensive backfield. They believe they're faster and more explosive at wide receiver because of Brown. General Manager James Gladstone absolutely believes the Jaguars have raised the roster floor and believes they have done so while allowing the team the structure to draft and develop rookies moving forward. Why the negativity? Because a lot of fans and observers are like a cat. They like shiny objects that move quickly, and they are therefore often lured into tapping at light with their paws. Unlike cats, fans voice their frustration when the light eludes them. Fans fan. It's what they do.
Andrew from Little Elm, TX
Will Shad wait until they retire, or will he put Engram and Kirk in the Ring of Honor this year?
Former Jaguars tight end Evan Engram and former Jaguars wide receiver Christian Kirk won't be inducted into the Pride of the Jaguars this season. Time will tell if they are considered candidates in the future. They only played here three seasons. They're far from locks.
Peter from Orange Park, FL
You gonna list the free agents again or nah?
Of course not. That would be repetitive, lazy and not a little pointless at this stage.
Don from Marshall NC
We need a big back that can block and catch and can create space on his own. I prefer a fullback, but I guess there is no such thing anymore. Maybe at least a tight end that could play the position. Go Jaguars!
When it comes to harkening back to days of yore, and pining for the days of the big back, Don remains "all in."
Richard from Irvine, CA
The old regime didn't really put much resources into a third pass rusher. How do you think this front office will approach it?
Differently.
Deane from Hill AFB via Daytona Beach, FL
Yo, O-Zone!!! I saw in one of your answers that you could see the Jags picking up a running back. In that part of the draft, I would like Cam Skattebo, if available. I think he would fit well in this Jag ecosystem. Which brings me to my question. Based that the new leadership talks about intangibles a lot, why wouldn't they look at taking a quarterback or one of their A/B backs from Navy or Army to make a running back? Granted, they have a service commitment, but players have played in not-so-distant past. I would think that they would definitely have the intangibles they seek and some of them have some astounding rushing stats. What says you, O-Zone???
I say the Jaguars will scout all college players to determine the best fit. I would be surprised if they try to convert a quarterback with a military commitment to a running back. The 2025 NFL Draft is scheduled to be held April 24-26.
John from Jax
Hi, KOAGF. With regards to the ecosystem that our general manager wants really badly, I can guarantee that all players will be emitting gas this coming season.
I am the king of all funk.
Bradford from Orange Park, FL
Save the two having come from the Dallas Cowboys (and they're not far removed from them), all playoff teams on the free-agent acquisitions. And to run with that thread, playoff teams in which our new general manager and head coach hailed from as well. I could understand the leadership roles being targeted based on that premise, by Owner Shad Khan, Executive Vice President of Football Operations Tony Boselli, etc ... But was just wondering how much do you think those new leaders in those roles scoped for players coming from organizations in which they were accustomed to winning? With culture being at issue, especially in bringing on "hired guns," I couldn't slam anyone for that strategy. Makes sense to me.
Playoff experience and experience on winning teams certainly didn't hurt when this leadership group was assessing potential free agents. I wouldn't call having been on a playoff team a prerequisite in the process.
Steve from Nashville, TN
Why do the Jaguars pick fourth in the second round (No. 36 overall) instead of the fifth pick?
Because teams that finished with the same record the previous season rotate throughout the draft. The New England Patriots, Jaguars and Las Vegas Raiders finished 4-13 last season and will select in that order in Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft – the Patriots at No. 4, the Jaguars at No. 5 and the Raiders at No. 6. The Jaguars select fourth in Round 2 followed by the Raiders and Patriots at fifth and sixth. The Raiders select fourth in Round 3 followed by the Patriots and Jaguars at fifth and sixth. And so on forever and forever. Or at least until Round 7.
Bradley from Sparks, NV
Everyone outside of the Gabe Davis family seems down on him but the guy was a consistent big play receiver for the Buffalo Bills for several years. Was he completely a product of Bills quarterback Josh Allen's brilliance? Am I late to the funeral?
We'll see.
John from Cape May Court House
One position group noticeably absent from the free-agent signings is the defensive line. Which just so happens to be the strongest and deepest in this year's draft class. Maybe just maybe this regime will fish where the fish are at. Dare to dream, I suppose. That is all, as you were.
The Jaguars like a lot about their defensive front. Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker are front-line players at defensive end, and the coaching staff likes the potential of second-year veterans Maason Smith and Jordan Jefferson. There's a thought that Arik Armstead can be effective at three-technique defensive tackle and DaVon Hamilton is an asset at nose tackle. There's also a lot of room – and a lot of potential – for this area to be addressed early in the 2025 NFL Draft.
JK from NY & Fernandina Beach, FL
Top of the Morning Johnny O'! Color theory, which is essentially math with colors, was my lowest grade in college. So I have always struggled in this area. Would you say teal is more blue or green? Happy St. Paddy's Day!
I was barely smart enough to get through chemistry and biology at 'ol Eagle Tech just under the Hart Bridge. An argument perhaps could be made that I didn't actually get through chemistry and biology, and another argument could be made that perchance the professors were just sort of tired of my act and politely passed me along. On another note, teal is teal. Or something like that.
Josh from Atlanta, GA
Dyami Brown is another name for Gabe Davis. I'll be shocked if his stat line is 50 yards higher than Gabe finished this past season with. Call me a skeptic there, because I think It was a waste of cash. Aside from him, though? Phenomenal. Way more impressed than last year's overspend. Huge holes filled with modest spend. Looking forward to seeing this group.
The Jaguars believe Brown is much better than this. They believe he's an ascending player who will complement Brian Thomas Jr., and who is only just reaching his potential. But your skepticism is fair. He hasn't been very productive in four NFL seasons, and his flashes – while recent – have been brief. This is a storyline. No doubt. The class overall is very functional. A lot of veterans. A lot of experience. A lot of turning over the base of the roster. It's a class with an eye on stabilizing the present while looking to the future.
Richard from Lincoln, RI
So, you're expecting the Jags to be better in 2024 than in 2025! My question is: When are you going to get a new time machine?
Good eye.
