2024 Free Agency: Grading the Jaguars' Haul

The Jacksonville Jaguars did what many presumed they wouldn't do this month: spend big in free agency. 

The Jaguars added a number of players on both sides of the ball, dipped their toes into the kicker market, and made their fair share of big splashes. 

So, how we grade each individual move? We examine below.

C Mitch Morse 

Contract: 2 Years/$10.5 million/$7 million guaranteed

Grade: A-

In terms of fit, there may not have been a better option for the Jaguars at the center position than Mitch Morse. Were it not for the fact that he is an older player (he turns 32 in April), this grade would be even higher than it is. But make no mistake, the Jaguars made a massive upgrade at center. 

In terms of pass protection, Morse has the experience and traits to make things easier for Trevor Lawrence. He has a high floor as a pass blocker and can be relied on in one-on-one situations more than Fortner. Then when you get to run blocking, well, it isn't close. Fortner ranks among the worst centers in football in back-to-back seasons in terms of blown block rate. 

Add in the fact that Morse is a good fit for a scheme that asks its centers to get into space -- and the fact he has already played for Doug Pederson -- and it is hard to find any flaw in this addition.

WR Gabe Davis 

Contract: 3 Years/$39 million/$24 million guaranteed 

Grade: C+

A lot of the issues with this grade don't have anything to do with Gabe Davis. I am baking some of the aftermath of the Calvin Ridley deal into the grade, which I think is fair considering the Jaguars wanted to pair the two together in the offense in 2024. 

If Ridley was in Jacksonville in 2024, Davis would be an expensive but sensible No. 4 option in the passing game. He is one of the true big-play threats at receiver today, can play X and do the dirty work at the line of scrimmage, and does well on scramble drills and in the running game. He could have more or less played the same perimeter-only role that Ridley played a year ago, allowing Ridley to be more freed up to move around the offense.

Without Ridley, though, it is a bit tougher to be as positive about the signing. Davis is a good player, but he is better as an auxiliary option as opposed to potentially the top outside receiver on the roster. We saw him thrive in Buffalo with Stefon Diggs because it allowed him to see more one-on-ones and favorable looks, but it is tougher to imagine such looks with how the roster is set up today. It isn't a bad signing by any means, but it does look different without Ridley. 

DB Darnell Savage 

Contract: 3 Years/$21.75 million/$12.5 million guaranteed

Grade: C-

The Jaguars aren't exactly paying out the nose for Darnell Savage -- he ranks just No. 15 in average annual value among safeties. With that said, it does feel like the Jaguars are expecting Savage to perform a good bit better in Ryan Nielsen's scheme than he did in Green Bay. 

Savage frequently ranked on the wrong side of missed tackle rates during his time in Green Bay, and he didn't have much ball production in 2023 to make up for it. He has a lot of athletic traits, though, and has experience covering tight ends one-on-one, which is something the Jaguars were missing after they released Rayshawn Jenkins. He didn't return to Green Bay for a reason, but perhaps the Jaguars can get more out of him.

CB Ronald Darby 

Contract: 2 Years/$8.5 million/$5.5 million guaranteed

Grade: B+

In terms of pure scheme fits, Ronald Darby was one of the best possible options the Jaguars had. He has been one of the most efficient press cornerbacks in football in recent years and just had a terrific season with the Baltimore Ravens in 2023. While he doesn't have Darious Williams' accolades or production, he is cheaper and is a better pure fit.

Darby may not bring a lot of upside due to age and lack of ball production, but he is an ideal stop-gap solution at cornerback. The Jaguars managed to bring him in for a cheap deal for a potentially starting cornerback, but they also have the flexibility to add to the position due to his age and small deal.

WR/KR/PR Devin Duvernay 

Contract: 2 years/$8.5 million/$5.7 million guaranteed

Grade: C-

It is surprising to see a return specialist get more money than a potential starting cornerback, but that is more or less what happened with Devin Duvernay and Ronald Darby. This is a bit pricey for a pure return specialist, especially after the Jaguars just got out of a big deal with a returner in Jamal Agnew. With D'Ernest Johnson and Parker Washington on the roster, the Jaguars truly did not have to spend on a returner. 

With that said, Duvernay is one of the best in the NFL at what he does, as evident by his All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors. He is also an upgrade over Agnew as a pure wide receiver. Like Agnew, Duvernay should be expected to be one of the top backup wideouts and a niche role player, and he is better suited for that role than Agnew ever was.

DL Arik Armstead 

Contract: 3 Years/$43.5 million/$28 million guaranteed

Grade: A+

I think this is the best free agency signing the Jaguars have made under Trent Baalke. In fact, I think it is the best they have made since 2017. Arik Armstead is the most talented veteran the Jaguars have added to their roster in March since they signed Calais Campbell. He is a legit top-12 defensive tackle who offers a high floor as a pass-rusher and an even higher ceiling. 

I have no negative marks against this signing, even with injuries factored in. His missed games over the last two years are likely the only reason the Jaguars got him at this price, but he hasn't exactly had an injury-riddled career. Plus, he played through injuries in the playoffs last year. He has several good years left in him, even with the fact that he is turning 31 in 2024. 

Armstead has production, fits the scheme, has a track record of playoff success, and fills one of the biggest needs on the roster. It is a stellar signing.

K Joey Slye 

Contract: N/A

Grade: C-

I expect Joey Slye to compete with Riley Patterson in training camp and the offseason. This isn't a signing that moves the needle considering Brandon McManus was better than both last year, even with his own issues. The fact the Jaguars wanted to sign Will Lutz to a three-year deal but signed Slye to a one-year contract more or less sums up how the Jaguars likely view Slye. 

EDGE Trevis Gipson

Contract: N/A

Grade: B

Just in terms of adding depth to the roster, this was a good move. Trevis Gipson didn't play much with the Tennessee Titans a year ago, but he had 10 sacks in two years with the Chicago Bears from 2021-2022 and is reunited with outside linebackers coach Bill Shuey, who coached him to seven sacks in 2021.