3 Offensive FAs the Jacksonville Jaguars Should Resign

By Liam Wirsansky on January 19, 2021

With the Jacksonville Jaguars offseason in full swing and after the recent hire of HC Urban Meyer, the team will look ahead to continuing to assemble a staff, including the hiring of a new General Manager. With likely an abundance of salary cap, the Jacksonville Jaguars will have the ability to be big spenders in free agency this offseason, which starts with pending agents already a part of the team last season. These are three of the Jaguars’s pending offensive free agents the team should consider resigning.

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WR Keelan Cole

The fourth year undrafted free agent signing has continued to prove the teams that passed over him were missing out on a solid and dependable receiver, and the Jaguars smart for finding a diamond in the rough. While most will remember Cole for his spectacular one handed catch against the New England Patriots in 2018, he has continued to flash brilliance in his ability to make contested catches and big plays when the offense needs it the most, even with inconsistent quarterback play. More importantly this past season, he was able to stay healthy, which the other two leading Jaguars receivers, DJ Chark and Leviska Shenault Jr. struggled with, making Cole’s role on the team even more vital. With WR Chris Conley likely on his way out and coming off of the best season of his career in terms of receptions, targets, and touchdowns scored. A veteran presence like his in the locker room is important and will keep the position group cohesive, as they try to develop the young, but talented Shenault and WR Colin Johnson.

OL Tyler Shatley

A career plug and play backup offensive lineman, OL Tyler Shatley has been a steady force for seven seasons, keeping the Jaguars offensive front afloat when the injury bug hits. As good as C Brandon Linder is when healthy, Shatley has consistently had to come into games in his relief, which is hard enough for any quarterback, let alone a rookie that the Jaguars have the opportunity to draft with the first overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Well worth the money and with loads of money to spend, new HC Urban Meyer should think twice before letting Tyler Shatley walk and sign with another team. While he was not a starter, Shatley played snaps in all but three games this past season, aiding a line that allowed undrafted rookie free agent star RB James Robinson to rush for over 1,000 yards throughout the 2020 NFL season.

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TE Tyler Eifert/ RB Chris Thompson

Depending on who how the offensive coordinator position pans out, both of these players could likely be resigned if someone like Jay Gruden retains his job, with their relationships spanning back to his days as a part of the Cincinnati Bengals and then Washington Redskins staffs. While that may be their hopes, it remains unlikely that HC Urban Meyer does not take the opportunity and clean house to hire his own hand selected staff. While neither of these players had spectacular seasons, both played a vital role of leadership and stability. Eifert led all Jaguar TEs in yards caught (349) and touchdowns (2), while Thompson served as the primary backup rusher to starter James Robinson, with little depth and experience behind him. The Jaguars will likely look to draft a running back and tight end in the upcoming draft, and will also see the return of young and developing players like RB Ryquell Armstead and TE Josh Oliver, but should still consider resigning at least one of the two in Eifert or Thompson to add some stability and a mature veteran presence to the offense.

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