Jaguars waste no time signing the New York Jets’ tup class ace ahead of Week 1 Challenge
The Jacksonville Jaguars put together a roster full of depth and talent ahead of Week 1. Moreover, they built a well-rounded practice squad with players who can contribute if called upon. On the other hand, the Jags have a handful of position groups that could use an immediate boost.
Granted, the free-agent pool isn’t as deep as it was back in March but there are still a few players available who could help Jacksonville right off the bat. The following three come to mind.
The Jaguars raised eyebrows when they kept 11 defensive linemen in their initial 53-man roster. The issue is that only three of them are true pass rushers: Travon Walker, Josh Hines-Allen, and Myles Cole. The coaching staff has previously said that Arik Armstead could see playing time on the edge. Roy Robertson-Harris may also see some snaps at defensive end. That said, Jacksonville should strongly consider adding reinforcements to their rotation. Carl Lawson is available.
Although injuries limited Lawson to six games in 2023, he logged seven sacks as recently as 2022. He last spent time with the Dallas Cowboys but was released on cutdown day. The Jags may want to sign him after Week 1 to avoid guaranteeing his salary but they should have his number on speed dial whether they beat the Miami Dolphins or not.
Lawson certainly has built a solid resume, registering 27 sacks in his NFL career. Injuries have hampered his impact in recent years but the truth is that nobody expects him to register double-digit quarterback takedowns. At this stage of his career, his better suited for a rotational role. If he can help Walker and Hines-Allen stay fresh on game day, he will have been a solid pickup.
Running back Leonard Fournette was a key contributor for the Jacksonville Jaguars at the end of the 2010s. However, the team’s brass chose to release him rather than give him a new deal. And while Playoff Lenny had no trouble latching to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the time, he’s recently had a bit of trouble finding work. That’s led him to a visit with the Indianapolis Colts.
Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that Fournette met with Indy the Monday before kickoff. They didn’t reach an agreement, but it would ultimately make sense for both parties to join forces. The former LSU Tiger would get a team to play for while the Colts would add insurance behind Jonathan Taylor.
This would be a smart move when you take into account that hampered Taylor’s performance the past two years and hasn’t been nearly as productive as he was in 2021. That year, the former Wisconsin Badger earned Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors.
Zack Moss was Indianapolis’ No. 2 running back behind Taylor in 2023 but he signed with the Cincinnati Bengals in free agency. With Moss out of the mix, Trey Sermon moved up the depth chart. However, he suffered a hamstring injury in the first game of the preseason that forced him to miss time. He’s since returned to practice but the Colts’ decision to bring in Fournette may be a sign that he may not be ready for the season opener.
Earlier this year, Jake Sullivan of CBS Sports mentioned the Colts as a potential landing spot for the Louisiana native based on need at the position. It looks like he wasn’t that far off.
