Jaguars' massive rebuilding project will focus on draft, undrafted free agents

Editor's note: Every NFL team is preparing to attack its offseason to-do list, with free agency set to open March 12 and the draft April 25-27. This is the 23nd of 32 reports in 32 days by Sporting News NFL correspondents, who will analyze the offseason game plan for each team. Up next: Tennessee Titans.

Talent overview

Blaine Gabbert: The Jaguars plan to build around their embattled QB. (AP Photo)

Four years after entering what they thought was a partial rebuilding phase, the Jacksonville Jaguars find themselves starting over with possibly the NFL's biggest reclamation project.

The franchise bottomed out with a 2-14 record, which led to general manager Gene Smith's ouster, and replacement Dave Caldwell dumping coach Mike Mularkey after one season.

With former Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Gus Bradley as the new coach and a significant talent shortage, the roster will see massive changes this offseason.

Owner Shad Khan, who used the term "delusional" to describe the $142 million payroll in 2012 and the idea the Jaguars were close to being a playoff team, understands the franchise might be at least two years away from AFC South contention.

Caldwell will emphasize building the Jaguars through the draft and with undrafted rookies, helping Bradley to create the competition he wants at all positions, including quarterback.

The Jaguars are committed to being patient over expecting immediate results. Caldwell and Bradley are putting a greater priority on getting better each day than getting caught up in wins and losses in 2013.

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Key departures

Most of the team's 13 unrestricted free agents will leave, which could produce a gaping hole at cornerback. Long-time starters Rashean Mathis and Derek Cox, in addition to key backup Will Middleton, are among the unrestricted free agents the Jaguars will let test the market.

Caldwell took a pass on applying a $10.8 million franchise tag on Cox because he missed 17 of the past 48 games with various injuries. It's possible the Jaguars could re-sign him at the right price, but that rarely happens once players begin shopping their services.

The only veteran free agents Caldwell appears to have any interest in retaining, providing it's a team-friendly deal, are center Brad Meester, fullback Greg Jones and outside linebacker Daryl Smith. Former starters guard Eben Britton and defensive tackle Terrance Knighton fell out of favor last season and are expendable.


1. Cornerback. If Cox goes elsewhere, the Jaguars must replace two starters at a position that wasn't strong to start. Aaron Ross, last year's top free-agent acquisition, was a big disappointment. If the Jaguars don't trade out of the first pick in the second round (No. 33), a quality prospect like Johnthan Banks, Desmond Trufant, Xavier Rhodes or Darius Slay could be available in that slot.

Given the team's long-standing weakness in pass coverage, it wouldn't be surprising to see it draft two corners or add another in free agency for a modest price. Bradley favors taller, physical corners in his defense, which means top prospect Dee Milliner (6-0, 197 pounds) of Alabama can't be ruled out with the second overall pick.

2. Defensive end. The Jaguars had the NFL's worst pass rush last season at 20 sacks, with the only positive being the late-season acquisition of Jason Babin. He remains the lead candidate for Bradley's hybrid position of "Leo," a combination defensive end/outside linebacker who can function in both 4-3 and 3-4 sets.

Todd Wash, the defensive line coach Bradley brought over from Seattle, wants to have four defensive ends in the game in third-and-long. If that's the case, the Jaguars need another dependable edge rusher. They just don't know if Andre Branch, last year's second-round pick who struggled mightily, can be productive.

They'll take a long look at Florida State's Bjoern Werner with the No. 2 overall pick, but a more likely scenario is selecting FSU teammate Tank Carradine or Texas A&M's Damontre Moore if either falls into the second round.

3. Offensive tackle.
This position became a big headache when Britton and Cameron Bradfield struggled at right tackle. Guy Whimper, the stop-gap measure, was released.

There are viable options with the second overall pick in Texas A&M's Luke Joeckel and Central Michigan's Eric Fisher, both of whom might slide in at left tackle and push Eugene Monroe to the right side. The Jaguars could wait to see if Alabama's D.J. Fluker falls to the second round. With a slew of unrestricted free agents available, another option is to wait until after the draft to sign a potential starter at a reasonable price.

4. Quarterback.
The clock is ticking on 2011 first-round pick Blaine Gabbert, who as a rookie was rushed into starting duty before he was ready. It also doesn't help his cause that he will be working under his third different head coach and offensive coordinator.

While Gabbert might be No. 1 on the depth chart, the Jaguars intend to push him with more than just veteran backup Chad Henne. Caldwell wants four quarterbacks competing in camp, which should include a mid-round pick.

The Jaguars might wait until the third or fourth round, where prospects North Carolina State's Mike Glennon, Arizona's Matt Scott (he played for Jaguars quarterback coach Frank Scelfo) or Tennessee's Tyler Bray could be available. The Jaguars could kick the tires on a trade for Matt Flynn, but it would have to be a reasonable price.

5. Defensive tackle. While the Jaguars have yet to get the mileage needed out of top-10 pick Tyson Alualu, he has been a decent starter and could be ready to shine now that his knee is no longer a limitation. The best way is to find a more disruptive sidekick for him than C.J. Mosley or Jeris Pendleton.

In this deep draft, look for the Jaguars to wait until the second or third day to select a pile-pusher. Somebody like Florida State's Everett Dawkins or Penn State's Jordan Hill could be a value pick in that range.

Frenette's take

After last year's spending spree produced little in return, the Jaguars aren't eager to make big splashes in free agency. Caldwell is more interested in patiently building over the long haul than investing in quick fixes.

While the Jaguars might add a couple of free-agent pieces, look for them to wait for cheap labor than jump on big-money investments.

Don't be surprised if the Jaguars sign a franchise-record number of undrafted rookies to help create a highly competitive training camp. There are no expectations for playoff contention in 2013, especially with an unresolved issue at quarterback.

If the Jaguars win five or six games, plus have Gabbert or someone else show long-term promise at quarterback, it would be a good start to what figures to be an extensive rebuilding job.

Gene Frenette covers the Jaguars for Sporting News and the Florida Times-Union.

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