3 free agents Jaguars must target after 2024 NFL Draft

After a playoff berth seemed certain, the Jacksonville Jaguars somehow ended their season on the couch and not in the postseason. The Jaguars were 8-3 heading into Week 13, but five losses in their last six games doomed a team that looked destined to build on last year’s playoff victory.

The team addressed many of its immediate concerns already this offseason. An offensive line that gave up far too many sacks and not enough rushing lanes was improved through the addition of center Mitch Morse while re-signing a healthy Matthew Cleveland at guard. In the secondary, the team added Darnell Savage and Ronald Darby to a unit that struggled to stop anybody in the air. The additions of wide receivers Brian Thomas Jr. — a rookie first-round pick out of LSU — and free agents Gabe Davis and Devin Duvernay give star quarterback Trevor Lawrence a high level of talent around him.

With the 2024 NFL Draft over and free agency well underway, the Jaguars could still make a few more additions to solidify this squad. Here are three free agents the Jaguars must target after the 2024 NFL Draft.

Steven Nelson (Cornerback)

The Jaguars finished 26th in the NFL last year in both passing yards allowed and passing touchdowns given up. Jacksonville needs a veteran cornerback who can easily slot into the nickel spot and compete for a starting role alongside new signing Ronald Darby, returning starter Tyson Campbell, and rookie third-round pick Jarrian Jones.

Steven Nelson has bounced around — playing for four teams over the last six seasons (most recently the Houston Texans) — but has been quietly successful at every stop. The 30-year-old had four picks in 2023 for the Houston Texans and allowed a passer rating of just 73.3 when targeted. Nelson’s adaptability makes him an ideal addition to this Jacksonville secondary.

Micah Hyde (Safety)

After making improvements at cornerback, the next step for the Jaguars is to upgrade the safety position. Rayshawn Jenkins and Andre Cisco were not up to par for the Jags at the safety position. The team released Jenkins and signed former Green Bay Packer Darnell Savage — a clear upgrade — but could still add another high-level player at the back end of the secondary.

Micah Hyde is a two-time All-Pro with 29 career turnovers forced plus eight fumbles recovered. He is a playmaker who should pair well with the newly-added Savage and improve a mediocre pass defense.

Kareem Hunt (Running Back)

Travis Etienne was the bell cow of the Jacksonville backfield in 2023, finishing fourth in the NFL in attempts but only managing to be 11th in yardage. His 3.8 yards per carry reflect on a weak offensive line and a lack of capable backs to spell him. Backups D’Ernest Johnson and Tank Bigsby combined for 240 yards on 91 attempts (2.6 yards per carry). Both are back this year and the team’s only backfield addition is Texas rookie Keilan Robinson — a fifth-round pick who was graded as an undrafted free agent.

Adding a talented backfield player like Kareem Hunt lessens the burden on Etienne and keeps him fresh down the stretch. Etienne eclipsed 60 yards on the ground just once in the final nine games of the season after doing so four times in the first half of the year. Hunt has significant experience as a secondary back, and his addition would significantly boost this Jacksonville offense.