5 Available Free Agents Still Within Jacksonville Jaguars' Reach

The Jacksonville Jaguars have been building up to this upcoming season. Building through the draft and patiently developing and creating a team hasn't been easy, but they can the next step this offseason with a solid draft and veteran help in free agency.

While the Jaguars have done an excellent job in the draft, they still need some help in certain spots.

Whether it's adding depth or a legitimate competitor for a position, the Jaguars have to make sure they are prepared for anything this upcoming season.

The Jaguars have had success in the draft over the past couple of years, but there are some veteran additions that need to be made. Positions like wide receiver and center lack a potentially useful veteran to help on and off the field.

Bringing in a veteran presence for depth or competition for a starting spot is crucial to the development of the young talent the Jaguars have at these spots.

Despite my optimism and faith in the younger members of the squad, a team can't succeed solely with raw talent. Veterans bring experience and organization to a position core, and that is priceless.

Here are five available free agents still within the Jaguars' reach.

Michael Crabtree

Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated Press

One of this year's most talked-about free agents, Michael Crabtree has yet to find a home after six seasons with the San Francisco 49ers.

However, despite all the buzz, there has been little to no talk of actual movement for Crabtree.

Crabtree has been a consistent option for the 49ers since being drafted 10th overall in the 2009 NFL draft. While he hasn't necessarily put up the numbers of a first-round draft pick every season, he could definitely bring something to Jacksonville.

Crabtree's best season in San Francisco was in 2012, when he totaled 1,105 yards and nine touchdowns on 85 catches. The Jaguars shouldn't expect a return to those totals, but Crabtree could very easily be a second or third receiver for the Jaguars.

What's more important is his experience. Crabtree has been to the NFC Championship Game twice and the Super Bowl once, and that is crucial.

The current group of receivers for the Jaguars is talented but extremely young. Starters such as Allen Robinson and Marqise Lee were only drafted last season, and they could use Crabtree's experience and tips.

At 27, Crabtree makes sense for both depth and his experience.

Brian De La Puente

Nam Y. Huh/Associated Press

Brian De La Puente is a traveler to say the least. He has been on the roster of six different NFL teams at some point or another, but despite his movement, he has a surprising amount of starting experience.

De La Puente spent three years with the New Orleans Saints as a key offensive lineman, starting all of 2012 and 2013 for the Saints. He then went to the Chicago Bears and was a starting center before getting injured and landing on injured reserve.

He would be a fantastic mentor and competitor for current starting center Luke Bowanko. Bowanko did well in 2014, but help or someone to challenge him would do wonders for him in 2015.

De La Puente has been to the playoffs with the Saints as well. The team aspires for that level of play in the future, and to do so, it has to add players with big-game experience.

He would most likely be a cheap option and could provide serious competition to Bowanko. The Jaguars may like a center in the draft, but if they don't, De La Puente is the guy to go after.

Greg Jennings

Rick Osentoski/Associated Press

Like Crabtree, Greg Jennings is another frequently talked-about but currently unsigned free agent. Though Jennings is one of the oldest free-agent receivers available, he undoubtedly offers the most experience and help among available wideouts.

Jennings has 8,083 career yards and 63 career touchdowns through his nine seasons in the NFL. His production has dipped in recent years, but that doesn't mean he's without value.

Jennings' nine years of NFL experience would do a lot for Allen Hurns and the rest of the receiving corps. He's played against and with the best in his career, and that includes his Super Bowl XLV victory.

Jennings is a champion in the truest sense of the word, and while the Jaguars can't expect his 2010 days to appear again, that doesn't mean he can't play. Jennings' 742 yards and six touchdowns through 16 games last season amounted to a better showing than former Jaguar Cecil Shorts' 557 yards and one touchdown in 13 games.

However, it may be too late for the Jags.

According to Adam H. Beasley of the Miami Herald, Jennings has already visited with the Miami Dolphins, although a deal wasn't finalized. If the Jaguars are considering Jennings, they better act fast.

Geno Hayes

Chris Szagola/Associated Press

Some of you may this consider this cheating, but I have to go with Geno Hayes as a legitimate backup linebacker. Hayes earned at least another year with the Jaguars, but instead they let him test the waters of free agency.

Through two seasons in Duval County, Hayes racked up 92 solo tackles, three sacks, two forced fumbles and two interceptions.

Hayes made plays all over the field for the Jaguars in 2013 and 2014, and he can still do that.

Teams sometimes have to part with players, but there appears to be no legitimate reason Hayes can't play for the Jaguars—even if it's as a backup. He's consistent, tenacious and offers exactly what you want on the field and in the locker room.

It may not be in the Jaguars' plans to re-sign Hayes, but after no interest from other teams for over a month, Hayes and the Jaguars should be able to reach an agreement.

Hayes would be a great backup, cheap signing and the Jaguars would know exactly what they're getting. Compared to the other free-agency options, Hayes is a surefire option.

Hakeem Nicks

Darron Cummings/Associated Press

Hakeem Nicks is a player who looked like he could be one of the top receivers for years to come in his first few seasons, but he hasn't lived up to the expectations set by his early-career performances.

However, at 27, Nicks still has plenty to offer.

Nicks excelled for the New York Giants in 2010 and 2011, garnering over 1,000 yards each season and a total of 18 touchdowns. Nicks' production dipped after 2011, leading to a change of scenery to the Indianapolis Colts in 2014.

It didn't work out, and Nicks had his worst season yet. Despite the warning sign, Nicks has something to offer. He's still technically gifted and could easily compete for the third or fourth spot on the receiver depth chart.

With the ability to actually start for the Jaguars, Nicks also offers experience. Like Jennings, Nicks is a Super Bowl champion and has consistently been a part of playoff teams throughout his career.

Nicks still has enough talent to play for the Jaguars and offers playoff experience that not many players can offer. Should Nicks sign with the Jaguars, he could bring a huge boost on and off the field.

All stats were provided by ESPN.com, unless otherwise stated.

Evan Reier is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report covering the Jacksonville Jaguars. Follow Evan on Twitter at @evanreier.