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Jaguars Sign 11 UDFAs

May 1st, 2023 at 2:34pm CST by Adam La Rose

Jacksonville announced their class of undrafted rookie free agents on Monday. Here is a breakdown of the prospects who will compete to fill out their roster this summer:

Jacksonville had 13 picks in this year’s draft in addition to the above names, so they will have plenty of rookies on hand to add to last year’s successful team. The group includes a number of intriguing names, though no reports have emerged yet with respect to sizeable guarantees in any of their respective contracts.

Ademilola and Coleman are heading into the NFL after very different college journeys, but they each posted notable production. The former totaled seven sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss over the past two seasons, and could find a role for himself as a rotational pass-rusher on the interior after a lengthy career with the Fighting Irish. The latter only played at Ole Miss for one season, but he recorded 4.5 sacks, 8.5 TFLs and three forced fumbles in that time, which could help earn him an extended look.

Of the three receivers signed, Cooks is the largest (6-4, 215 pounds) and most productive of the bunch in terms of 2022 statistics. After five years at Nevada, he transferred to San Jose State and had a career-year. Cooks totaled 1,076 yards on 69 receptions, and led the Mountain West Conference with 10 touchdowns. Those figures far outpaced what he had in all but one of his previous seasons, and could point to potential at the NFL level as a depth option.

Post-Draft Notes: Seahawks, Washington, Jaguars

April 30th, 2023 at 9:40pm CST by Ely Allen

The Seahawks were able to obtain both the top cornerback and top wide receiver on their board last Thursday when they drafted Illinois cornerback Devon Witherspoon at No. 5 overall and Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba at No. 20 overall. There had been rumors that Seattle had their eyes on Jalen Carter at No. 5, but with some troubling pre-draft issues, Carter wasn’t likely worth a top-five pick anymore.

A few teams had ideas of trading into Seattle’s pick and there’s a chance the Seahawks would’ve listened. General manager John Schneider, though, clarified that there were two players who would’ve prevented the Seahawks from trading down, according to Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times. Witherspoon happened to be one of them.

It’s unclear who the other player might have been or if they were even still available, but the Seahawks didn’t trade out of their top draft spot, so it’s clear that they were able to get their guy in Witherspoon.

Here are a few other rumors following the 2023 NFL Draft:

  • New Steelers tight end Darnell Washington experienced a bit of a slide in the draft this weekend. The former-Georgia Bulldog had a first- to second-round grade going into the Thursday with many expecting him to be the fourth or fifth tight end off the board. Especially after a run of tight ends started in the second round, it was surprising not to hear Washington’s name called. According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, injuries were the reason for the slide. Washington’s knee was a concern, but reportedly, there were other things on his medical that contributed to teams’ hesitancy, as well. The scout giving this information also called the slide “laughable,” asserting that he expects Washington to play for a long time in the NFL.
  • The Jaguars had a number of Day 3 picks that they used on Saturday. 10 to be exact. It sounds like they tried to sell some of them off and failed. According to ESPN’s Michael DiRocco, Jacksonville’s general manager, Trent Baalke, attempted to trade up in the draft’s later round and got denied. Multiple times. “We went through 15 or 16 teams when we were trying to trade up,” Baalke told the media. “Every team behind us and not one would make a move.”

2023 NFL Draft Results: Team By Team

April 29th, 2023 at 10:35pm CST by Sam Robinson

As the 2023 NFL Draft gets underway, we will keep track of each team’s haul here:

Arizona Cardinals

Round 1, No. 6 (from Rams through Lions): Paris Johnson, OT (Ohio State) (signed)
Round 2, No. 41 (from Titans): BJ Ojulari, DE (LSU) (signed)
Round 3, No. 72 (from Titans): Garrett Williams, CB (Syracuse) (signed)
Round 3, No. 94 (from Eagles): Michael Wilson, WR (Stanford) (signed)
Round 4, No. 122 (from Dolphins through Chiefs and Lions): Jon Gaines II, G (UCLA) (signed)
Round 5, No. 139 (from Broncos through Lions): Clayton Tune, QB (Houston) (signed)
Round 5, No. 168 (from Cardinals through Lions): Owen Pappoe, LB (Auburn) (signed)
Round 5, No. 180: Kei’Trel Clark, CB (Louisville) (signed)
Round 6, No. 213: Dante Stills, DT (West Virginia) (signed)

Atlanta Falcons

Round 1, No. 8: Bijan Robinson, RB (Texas) (signed)
Round 2, No. 38 (from Colts): Matthew Bergeron, T (Syracuse) (signed)
Round 3, No. 75: Zach Harrison, DE (Ohio State) (signed)
Round 4, No. 113: Clark Phillips III, CB (Utah) (signed)
Round 7, No. 224 (from Raiders): DeMarcco Hellams, S (Alabama) (signed)
Round 7, No. 225: Jovaughn Gwyn, G (South Carolina) (signed)

Baltimore Ravens

Round 1, No. 22: Zay Flowers, WR (Boston College) (signed)
Round 3, No. 86: Trenton Simpson, LB (Clemson) (signed)
Round 4, No. 124: Tavius Robinson, LB (Ole Miss) (signed)
Round 5, No. 157: Kyu Blu Kelly, CB (Stanford) (signed)
Round 6, No. 199: Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu, OT (Oregon) (signed)
Round 7, No. 229 (from Browns): Andrew Vorhees, G (USC) (signed)

Buffalo Bills

Round 1, No. 25 (from Giants through Jaguars): Dalton Kincaid, TE (Utah) (signed)
Round 2, No. 59: O’Cyrus Torrence, G (Florida) (signed)
Round 3, No, 91: Dorian Williams, LB (Tulane) (signed)
Round 5, No. 150 (from Commanders): Justin Shorter, WR (Florida) (signed)
Round 7, No. 230 (from Buccaneers through Jets, Texans, Eagles and Bills): Nick Broeker, G (Ole Miss) (signed)
Round 7, No. 252 (from Buccaneers through Rams): Alex Austin, CB (Oregon State) (signed)

Carolina Panthers

Round 1, No. 1 (from Bears): Bryce Young, QB (Alabama) (signed)
Round 2, No. 39: Jonathan Mingo, WR (Ole Miss) (signed)
Round 3, No. 80 (from Steelers): D.J. Johnson, DE (Oregon) (signed)
Round 4, No. 114: Chandler Zavala, G (North Carolina State) (signed)
Round 5, No. 145: Jammie Robinson, S (Florida State) (signed)

Chicago Bears

Round 1, No. 10 (from Saints through Eagles): Darnell Wright, OT (Tennessee) (signed)
Round 2, No. 53 (from Ravens): Gervon Dexter, DT (Florida) (signed)
Round 2, No. 56 (from Jaguars): Tyrique Stevenson, CB (Miami) (signed)
Round 3, No. 64: Zacch Pickens, DT (South Carolina) (signed)
Round 4, No. 115 (from Saints): Roschon Johnson, RB (Texas) (signed)
Round 4, No. 133 (from Eagles): Tyler Scott, WR (Cincinnati) (signed)
Round 5, No. 148 (from Patriots through Ravens): Noah Sewell, LB (Oregon) (signed)
Round 5, No. 165 (from Saints through Eagles): Terell Smith, CB (Minnesota) (signed)
Round 7, No. 218: Travis Bell, DT (Kennesaw State) (signed)
Round 7, No. 258: Kendall Williamson, S (Stanford) (signed)

Cincinnati Bengals

Round 1, No. 28: Myles Murphy, DE (Clemson) (signed)
Round 2, No. 60: DJ Turner, CB (Michigan) (signed)
Round 3, No. 95 (from Chiefs): Jordan Battle, S (Alabama) (signed)
Round 4, No. 131: Charlie Jones, WR (Purdue) (signed)
Round 5, No. 163: Chase Brown, RB (Illinois) (signed)
Round 6, No. 206: Andrei Iosivas, WR (Princeton) (signed)
Round 6, No. 217 (from Chiefs): Brad Robbins, P (Michigan) (signed)
Round 7, No. 246: DJ Ivey, CB (Miami) (signed)

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Saints Acquire No. 127, Select QB Jake Haener

April 29th, 2023 at 12:13pm CST by Ben Levine

The Saints are giving up a future draft pick to get into the fourth round. New Orleans has acquired pick No. 127 from Jacksonville. In exchange, the Jaguars have acquired pick No. 227 and a 2024 fourth-round pick.

The Saints will be using their selection on quarterback Jake Haener. The Fresno State product was widely considered to be atop the remaining tier of QBs, generally ranking sixth in his draft class.

While he won’t have the draft stock of the QBs selected before him, Haener can keep up with his upside. He didn’t play in a Power 5 conference and has generally been viewed unfavorably from a physical perspective, but he’s been lauded for his ability to control the game from under center.

Haener truly had a breakout campaign in 2021, when he finished with 33 touchdowns vs. only nine interceptions. He followed that up with a 2022 campaign where he connected on 72 percent of his passes for 2,896 yards, 20 touchdowns, and only three picks. He also earned the 2023 Senior Bowl MVP after the season.

The Saints made a move for Derek Carr this offseason and seem fully committed to their acquisition. The team also kept mainstay Jameis Winston, meaning Haener will likely spend his rookie campaign as the third quarterback on the depth chart.

Bears Obtain No. 56 From Jaguars, Select CB Tyrique Stevenson

April 28th, 2023 at 7:52pm CST by Ely Allen

The Bears will climb five spots for a cornerback. Dealing Nos. 61 and 136 to the Jaguars in exchange for No. 56, the Bears selected Miami’s Tyrique Stevenson.

A consensus top-five cornerback in the high school class of 2019, Stevenson transferred to Miami after two years at Georgia. He dealt with a number of injuries throughout his career, including a torn labrum and surgery to shave his collarbone, but he made the most out of the time he did play, earning honorable mention All-ACC in 2021 and third-team All-ACC honors this past season.

Stevenson brings some versatility to the Bears secondary. The staff in Athens transferred him to their STAR position (a linebacker/safety hybrid). The Hurricanes put him right back at his natural position as an outside corner, and he rewarded them with three interceptions and 14 passes defensed over two years in Coral Gables. He brings a long, muscular build matched with rangy speed and agility. He can stray in coverage but excels in press-man, rerouting receivers without drawing penalties.

Stevenson should find some immediate opportunities to contribute in Chicago. Kyler Gordon, Jaylon Johnson, Kindle Vildor, and Jaylon Jones all got the most run of the cornerbacks in the Bears secondary last year. According to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), Johnson was the best of the group, grading out as the 67th-best cornerback in the league. If Stevenson makes a strong showing in camp, he can make a run for a starting job. He should be a strong rotation candidate either way.

Jaguars Select OT Anton Harrison At No. 27

April 27th, 2023 at 10:25pm CST by Ben Levine

After moving back twice, the Jaguars have finally made their first selection of the draft. With the No. 27 pick, Jacksonville has selected Oklahoma offensive tackle Anton Harrison.

The rookie started at left tackle for Oklahoma for each of the past two seasons. After earning a second-team All-Big Ten nod in 2021, he was first-team All-Big Ten in 2022. He was also a consensus All-American pick this past year.

Harrison’s pedigree helped make him a projected first- or second-round pick in the draft. While Harrison endured knocks for his lack of athleticism, he has elite size (6-foot-4, 315 pounds) and length. His ability to play to his owns strengths made him one of the safer offensive line prospects in the draft, although his ceiling might be somewhat limited.

Harrison was ultimately the fifth offensive lineman to hear his name called during the first round, with the Jaguars trading back a handful of times before landing on their preferred prospect. It comes after a rocky offseason for the Jags at tackle.

Starting left tackle Cam Robinson is facing a PED suspension, perhaps forcing the front office’s hand at the position. The team let four-year right tackle starter Jawaan Taylor walk in free agency; Taylor signed a whopping four-year, $80MM deal with the Chiefs. The organization used a 2021 second-round pick on tackle Walker Little, but the Jaguars will surely find a way to get their 2023 first-round selection in the lineup.

Bills Trade Up For Utah TE Dalton Kincaid

April 27th, 2023 at 10:11pm CST by Adam La Rose

After moving from No. 24 to No. 25, the Jaguars are sliding back once again. This time, they’re trading with the Bills, sending No. 25 to Buffalo for picks No. 27 and No. 130, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport (via Twitter). Buffalo made the trade to select the draft’s first tight end in Utah’s Dalton Kincaid.

With the Cowboys — a team frequently linked to drafting a seam-stretcher on Thursday — set to pick at No. 26, this slot represents a logical trade-up spot for the Bills. Buffalo was named as a team to watch with respect to a receiver addition, but the recent run at that position left Kincaid available. That development could pay significant dividends for Buffalo.

Kincaid emerged as a red zone threat in 2021 by scoring eight touchdowns. He matched that figure last year, while taking on a larger role in the team’s offense. The 6-3, 246-pounder recorded 890 yards on 70 receptions in 2022, making a strong case as the top pass-catching tight end in the 2023 class, one which has been the source of considerable praise during the pre-draft process.

Michael Mayer has often been listed as the most well-rounded TE available, but the Notre Dame product remains on the board. Kincaid thus has the distinction of the top player at the position but also finds himself entering an enviable situation with respect to the offense he will now be joining.

The Bills boast one of the league’s most productive passing attacks, but much of their success comes from the receiver position. Kincaid will provide the team with a complimentary option to veteran Dawson Knox in the middle of the field, and should be able to form a formidable tandem with him for many years to come. With the Bills still searching for a consistent No. 2 option on the perimeter, they have at least exited Day 1 with a noteworthy addition to their offense.

Giants Trade Up For CB Deonte Banks

April 27th, 2023 at 10:04pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Giants are moving up one spot. New York has acquired pick No. 24 from the Jaguars for pick No. 25, No. 160 and No. 240, per ESPN’s Field Yates (on Twitter). The Giants will use their selection on Maryland cornerback Deonte Banks.

Although the Giants were perhaps the team most closely tied to the top wide receivers in this draft, cornerback has been a need in New York for a bit. The team whiffed on 2019 first-rounder Deandre Baker and released James Bradberry last year. The Giants did not make much of an effort to replace Bradberry and entered the draft with a hole opposite Adoree’ Jackson, who is going into a contract year.

Banks drew extensive attention during the pre-draft process, charting a busy course across the country. Nearly half the NFL’s 32 teams met with Banks; the Giants were among that contingent. Our Ely Allen covered Banks’ pre-draft profile, and despite Joey Porter Jr. receiving a bit more acclaim during the leadup to the draft, the Giants went with another Big Ten cover man. In a major surprise, Porter remains on the board heading into Round 2.

Banks bounced back from a shoulder injury that cut his 2021 season off after two games. Excelling in press coverage and running a 4.35-second 40-yard dash at the Combine, Banks brings a 6-foot, 197-pound frame to the Giants. New York selected slot hopeful Cor’Dale Flott in the third round last year, but it should be expected Banks has a quicker avenue to regular duty as a rookie.

Don Martindale received praise for his work in New York last season, and while the team ranked 25th defensively, it fared better against the pass (14th). The Giants accomplished that upper-half pass defense ranking despite Jackson missing a chunk of the season with an MCL sprain and would-be No. 2 corner Aaron Robinson missing almost all of it because of a worse knee injury earlier in the season. The Giants signed Amani Oruwariye from the Lions, but he took a big step back in his contract year. As such, Banks should be expected to join Jackson as the Giants’ top corners during his rookie year.

Jaguars LT Cam Robinson Facing PED Ban

April 27th, 2023 at 8:29am CST by Sam Robinson

The Jaguars finished last season without their starting left tackle. They will need to start the 2023 slate in the same position. Cam Robinson is facing a performance-enhancing drug suspension, according to SI.com’s John Shipley.

It is not yet known how many games Robinson will miss as a result of this ban. The CBA calls for varying punishments for certain types of PEDs, or for tampering with a drug sample; the Jags will be without Robinson for a minimum of two games.

Jacksonville has used Robinson as its Week 1 blindside starter since his rookie season in 2017. Robinson missed the conclusion to the 2018 and 2022 seasons due to injury, but the Alabama product — now the Jags’ longest-tenured offensive lineman — has taken his place on the left side for the past six seasons. In total, Robinson has started all 75 games he has played since entering the league as a second-round pick.

Although the Jags navigated a Robinson absence in their final five games last season, they still employed Jawaan Taylor at that point. The 2019 second-round pick did not miss a game during his four-year Jags run. The Chiefs signed Taylor on Day 1 of the legal tampering period last month. Robinson’s suspension now complicates matters. Walker Little, a 2021 second-round pick who filled in for Robinson to close last season, will likely be asked to begin the season as a starter.

Little (six career starts) stood to factor into the Jags’ equation regardless of Robinson’s suspension, but the team has also been connected to starting its draft with an O-line investment. Jacksonville holds the No. 24 pick Thursday night. The team brought back Josh Wells in free agency, but the former Jags backup-turned-Buccaneers swingman is recovering from a torn patellar tendon. Robinson was expected to be healthy after suffering a meniscus tear; he will have additional time to complete his recovery now.

Robinson, 27, is tied to the three-year, $52.75MM extension he signed in 2022. The Jags franchise-tagged the former Crimson Tide standout for a second time last year, leading to the lucrative re-up. While Robinson’s 2023 base salary ($16MM) is guaranteed, this suspension threatens to void the remaining guarantees on the deal. The contract runs through the 2024 season.

Jaguars DT DaVon Hamilton Signs Three-Year Extension

April 26th, 2023 at 7:56pm CST by Ely Allen

For the second year in a row, the Jaguars have reported another big extension just before the NFL Draft. This year’s recipient is fourth-year defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the new contract is essentially a three-year deal worth $34.5MM. He’ll get a fully guaranteed amount of $23MM and have an opportunity to push the maximum value of the contract to $36MM through incentives.

Hamilton is being rewarded for an extremely strong season after his third year in the league. The former third-round pick out of Ohio State had found starting opportunities over his first two years in the league but took over as a full-time starter in 2022. With an increased snap percentage, Hamilton recorded career-highs in total tackles (56), tackles for loss (5), sacks (2.5), quarterback hits (6), and forced fumbles (1).

Hamilton is regarded as one of the better pass rushing interior lineman in the NFL, grading out with the 20th-best pass rush grade among the position, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required). He graded out as the 26th-best interior defender overall for 2023.

Jacksonville has worked hard to keep last year’s defense line intact, extending starter Roy Robertson-Harris in February, re-signing rotation lineman Adam Gotsis, and signing another rotation piece, Nick Thurman, to a reserve/futures contract at the end of the season. They also return a regular contributor in Folorunso Fatukasi, who signed with the team last year.

With a three-man defensive line, the Jaguars are expected to field Hamilton in the center with Robertson-Harris and Fatukasi on the ends. They may explore some depth options at the position in the draft or free agency, but their top contributors for the next two years, at least, have been established with today’s deal.

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