Jaguars Rumors: Marcell Dareus' $20M Contract Option Won't Be Picked Up by JAX

The Jacksonville Jaguars are declining Marcell Dareus' option for the 2020 season, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

The veteran defensive tackle was set to count for $22.5 million against the salary cap. By releasing him this offseason, the Jaguars will save $20 million and carry $2.5 million in dead money.

Given Dareus' hefty salary figure, his departure isn't a big surprise. He was limited to six games in 2019 after suffering a core muscle injury.

The Jaguars have two first-round picks this spring by virtue of the Jalen Ramsey trade, which allows them to target a replacement for Dareus early in the 2020 draft. Bleacher Report's Matt Miller projected Jacksonville to select South Carolina defensive lineman Javon Kinlaw with the No. 20 pick in his most recent mock draft.

Dareus' experience and resume likely guarantee he'll land on his feet with another team. He had 32 combined tackles and one sack for the Jaguars in 2018.

"Prior to this season, Dareus had played at least 400 snaps and graded above 75.0 each season since 2013," Pro Football Focus' Ben Linsey wrote of him in January. "He has never really been a high-level pass-rusher, with a career-high pass-rushing grade of 72.5 coming all the way back in 2012, but he’s shown dominance as a run defender."

The 29-year-old probably won't deliver another season on par with his 2014 campaign, when he had 10 sacks and 12 tackles for loss en route to earning All-Pro honors.

Assuming he can stay healthy, he would still be a sensible addition for a team looking to strengthen the interior of its defensive line.