Best and Worst Moves the Jacksonville Jaguars Have Made in Free Agency
For the Jacksonville Jaguars and the rest of the NFL, free agency is the time to change and improve. The Jaguars have had a very interesting past couple weeks, and there is still more to come. There's no telling what still might happen, but until then, let's assess the first couple weeks.
There has been a lot of activity and players coming and leaving since the opening of free agency. While changes to a 3-13 squad may seem as a definite positive, there have been a few questionable moves.
However, these risks are a necessary one. The Jaguars front office has been analyzing what needs to happen more than anyone, and it's acted accordingly.
The Jaguars have been building in the draft over the past two years and are apparently still trying to focus on the draft, but revitalizing a team with veterans was a smart move. Additions like Jared Odrick and Davon House provide the experience and veteran leadership that this team has been looking for.
It's yet to be seen how the players who come in and the absence of former players will impact the team. However, it's useful to predict and speculate. That's what this list is here to do.
So with the intro out of the way, let's look at the three best and the three worst free-agency moves the Jaguars made this offseason.
Third-Worst: Not Re-Signing Will Blackmon or Alan Ball
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The Jaguars allowed Alan Ball and Will Blackmon to leave Jacksonville this offseason, and I can't say that was the best of decisions. Ball and Blackmon were well situated, veteran leaders that the Jaguars could've really continued to use in 2015.
Blackmon and Ball were both solid players, but not the best. However, Blackmon and Ball were primary leaders for the secondary and the defense.
The Jaguars are making the big push to improve, and it's understandable that some players have to leave, but both Blackmon and Ball had something to offer.
Blackmon was a consistent corner for the Jaguars in 2013 and 2014 before getting injured in 2014. Blackmon offered a reliable option at corner and was an anchor that the Jaguars could've re-signed for cheap in 2015.
Ball wasn't quite as good as Blackmon in my eyes, but Ball also would've been a smart re-signing. Ball has plenty of experience and locker room leadership to offer, but the Jaguars decided to move forward with the secondary.
The signing of Davon House was a great addition to the secondary and will help fill that leadership role, but having Blackmon or Ball back would've been a really good move for the Jaguars for 2015 and the future.
Third-Best: Not Re-Signing Cecil Shorts
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One of the most familiar names for the Jaguars over the past few seasons, Cecil Shorts III is no longer in Duval county. In fact, he's left for the Houston Texans! It will be interesting seeing him twice a year in a Texans uniform, but it was a necessary move to not re-sign Shorts.
Shorts was drafted in the fourth round of the 2011 draft, and after a quiet rookie year, he made his impact for the Jaguars in 2012. His 55 receptions for 979 yards and seven touchdowns made him one of the Jaguars' most exciting players, but his play regressed.
In 2013 and 2014, Shorts just wasn't the guy he was in 2012. He played one less game in both 2013 and 2014, and his production suffered. His 777 yards and three touchdowns in 2013 and 557 yards and a single touchdown in 2014 were significant signs that maybe Shorts' time in Jacksonville was coming to an end.
Besides the injury, Shorts just wasn't performing up to the expectations he set in 2012. While the quarterback play hasn't been good for the past couple years, Shorts just seemed complacent at times and looked mediocre at best some weeks.
With Allen Hurns, Marqise Lee and Allen Robinson, Shorts had talent to compete with, and he never really stood out in 2014. Going forward, the Jaguars need to replace Shorts, but it wasn't in the cards to re-sign him.
Shorts will always hold fond memories in the minds of Jaguars fans, but sometimes it's best to part ways. That's what happened this offseason.
(P.S. In memory of Shorts' time in Jacksonville, here's my favorite Shorts play of all time. Enjoy.)
Second-Worst: The Release of Red Bryant
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One of the biggest signings of the 2014 offseason for the Jaguars, Red Bryant has now become one of the biggest releases of the 2015 offseason. Bryant came from the Super Bowl XLVIII champions Seattle Seahawks but only got to spend one season as a Jaguar.
Bryant came in and quickly got adjusted to the East Coast. Bryant was one of the best run defenders for the Jaguars, and his 6'4", 323-pound stature was great for space eating on the defensive line.
Bryant's stats weren't the greatest, but he came in to Jacksonville and played an important role for the Jaguars in 2014. Along with Chris Clemons, Bryant came in as a Super Bowl champion and offered a lot to a young Jaguars defense.
Bryant's release saved the Jaguars $4,500,000 in cap space, and while that is a sizable addition, I'd say that Bryant deserved another season in Duval county.
Bryant played well and consistently, and while Jared Odrick's signing somewhat makes up for his release, Bryant still has value at 30 years old and could've offered the Jaguars depth and variety on the defensive line.
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Second-Best: The Signing of Jermey Parnell
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Besides the fact that I wrote that the Jaguars should look into Jermey Parnell in January, Parnell was one of the most sensible, best signings the Jaguars have made in a few seasons. Parnell has been too good to be sitting on the bench for the Dallas Cowboys, and his addition to the Jaguars roster was much needed.
Parnell has played both tackle positions in Dallas and has been a great tackle when replacing Doug Free and others. Parnell is big, strong and has very solid technical skills to boot.
Parnell offers a serious upgrade to the shakiest part of the Jaguars offensive line. Tackles Austin Pasztor and Luke Joeckel were both inconsistent, and in Pasztor's case, injured. Parnell has played well when given the chance in Dallas and can do the same in Jacksonville.
The tackle situation is somewhat unknown at the moment. Which two of the tackles will start in 2015 is yet to be seen, but what's crucial is that there is now a highly regarded tackle for the Jaguars.
Parnell's ability creates competition for the other tackle spot, and that's even more than the Jaguars can want from Parnell. Parnell is a signing that improves not just a single tackle spot, but the entire offensive line as a whole.
Worst: Dan Skuta
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Dan Skuta was not a terrible signing. However, his contract surpasses his ability and while he was a solid role player for the San Francisco 49ers in 2015, the Jaguars look like they expect even more from him, which may be very risky.
Skuta had a fantastic 2014, recording a career high 25 solo tackles and five sacks. Skuta became one of the best parts of an inconsistent 49ers defense, but I'm not sure if he can live up to his 2014 success in Jacksonville.
Skuta was guaranteed $8 million, according to spotrac.com, and while that's not an incredible amount, there was money to be saved at Skuta's spot.
I think that Skuta can be a good player for the Jaguars in 2015 and maybe after, but his pay is incredible for a guy who doesn't have that much experience as a starter.
It doesn't help that the Jaguars decided to go after Skuta instead of signing the cheaper, more familair option in Geno Hayes. Hayes was a solid player for the Jaguars in 2013 and 2014 and would've been much cheaper and, in my opinion, a better option as a whole.
Best: Julius Thomas
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The Jaguars were in need of a top target for quarterback Blake Bortles and a high-profile star, and they got both in Julius Thomas. One of the most prolific tight ends in the past couple years, Thomas' signing was the best move of the offseason.
Thomas spent the last two years with Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos, but he's ready to bring his talent to Jacksonville.
Thomas has caught 24 touchdowns in the past two years, and his ridiculous size and strength has made him one of the most successful tight ends in football. Thomas is incredible at creating space for himself, and if his hands can get to a ball, he's bringing it down more often than not.
Thomas is going to be the highest-paid player for the Jaguars and is getting $24,000,000 guaranteed, according to spotrac.com. While a lot of money, I think Thomas is worth it.
He'll be a go-to target for Bortles, and his ability allows for error on Bortles' end. And as Bortles continues to improve, Thomas will be a great player to work with and develop a connection with.
Thomas causes defenses to plan differently. Whenever he's on the field, he's a scoring threat, and that will also help the rest of the Jaguars open up and take advantage of the situation.
Thomas' signing was much needed and now that he's in Duval county, Jaguars fans can't wait for the start of the season.
All of the moves on this list still need time before the final verdict is made, but these are first impressions. The Jaguars made the moves they thought were the best for the future of the team, and the fact that they are active is all Jaguars fans can ask for.
It's still early, and although I think the Jaguars made a mistake here and there, they can still easily prove me wrong. However, there's no telling till the season rolls around.
However, I'd say that the overall grade of all the Jaguars' moves so far has been great. They've obviously made committed moves and, for the most part, have used their plentiful cap space sensibly.
The Jaguars and their fanbase will find out if this offseason deserves the hype that's come with the Jaguars' activity when September rolls around, but until then, we all just have to sit and play the waiting game.
All stats were provided by ESPN.com unless otherwise stated.
Evan Reier is a member of Bleacher Report's APSM program. Follow Evan on Twitter at @evanreier.
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