If there are two areas fans can bet on the Jacksonville Jaguars addressing during free agency, it’s their offensive line and receiver. With them having around $55 million in available cap space, fans should also expect splash signings at both positions depending on who hits the market.
In an article by CBS Sports, that’s exactly the approach Cody Benjamin has the Jags taking in terms of getting skill weapons for Trevor Lawrence. In his free-agent predictions article, he had the Jags adding one of the open market’s top pass-catcher in receiver Allen Robinson and tight end Dalton Schultz.
Of the two contracts, Robinson’s ended up being the most expensive and averaged $16.5 million over four years.
Jaguars sign WR Allen Robinson
Projected terms: Four years, $66 million | Per year: $16.5 million
A reunion! A-Rob may field equally lucrative offers from splashier cities like Miami and New England, but Trevor Lawrence is an appealing draw, as is the familiarity of Jacksonville. Doug Pederson and Co. give their young QB a true No. 1 to target.
Robinson, who was drafted by the Jags in 2014, has been a popular name this offseason for the team as many fans have voiced their opinions about seeing him return. While with the Chicago Bears, Robinson was a big contributor for their offense, totaling 293 catches for 3,561 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns despite inconsistency at the quarterback position.
While he wouldn’t necessarily give the Jags speed on the perimeter, he’d give Trevor Lawrence a playmaker who has some of the best ball skills in the game. Robinson would easily be their No. 1 receiver, too, regardless of what happens with DJ Chark Jr., who is also a pending free agent.
Schultz is another addition that makes sense for the Jags. While they have veteran Dan Arnold, they don’t have any notable pass-catching threats behind him on the depth chart. Additionally, Doug Pederson was known to use multiple tight end sets in the past and it would be unwise not to attempt to add some kind of help at the position this offseason between free agency and the draft.
Like Robinson, Benjamin had the Jags acquiring Schultz on a four-year deal, but this time it was valued at $52 million overall, which was good for an annual figure of $13 million.
Jaguars sign TE Dalton Schultz
Projected terms: Four years, $52 million | Per year: $13 million
Trevor Lawrence needs weapons of any kind. Schultz gives him another. Removed from the Cowboys’ offense, he may not be as lethal, but new coach Doug Pederson has relied heavily on tight ends before. He pays up to get his QB another outlet.
Schultz will be coming off a career season where he totaled 78 catches for 808 receiving yards. Clearly, those numbers couldn’t have come at a better time with 2021 being a contract year for him, and if the Dallas Cowboys don’t tag him, it may not be hard for a team like the Jags to outbid them for the young tight end.
While the Jags couldn’t add a big-time offensive lineman in this particular scenario, landing Robinson and Schultz would be still viewed as a huge plus in the eyes of many fans. And with 12 draft picks available in April’s draft, acquiring two starting offensive linemen later shouldn’t be too difficult, though it would clearly be better if they could at least get one in free agency.
