The Jaguars spent the most on free agents last offseason, and it worked out as they reached the playoffs. However, they’ll need to clear cap space to fill out next season’s roster.
They project to be $32 million over the cap, the third-fewest amount of cap space in the NFL, per Spotrac.
Here are three potential cut candidates:
Shaquill Griffin, cornerback
Griffin carries a cap hit of $17.1 million, but Jacksonville can save $13.1 million by cutting him before June 1. The former Seahawk played in just five games last season before undergoing back surgery.
He has yet to record an interception since signing his three-year, $40 million deal with the Jaguars in the 2021 offseason, and it seems likely he’ll never get the chance to.
Jacksonville will need to add to the secondary regardless of Griffin’s situation. Its pass defense allowed 238.2 yards per game last season, 27th in the league.
The cornerback draft class is robust, and there’s a chance either Oregon’s Christian Gonzalez or South Carolina’s Cam Smith will be on the board when the Jaguars are on the clock. Their first pick of the 2023 NFL Draft will be No. 24 overall, barring a trade.
K’Lavon Chaisson, outside linebacker
The Jaguars won’t save money by cutting Chaisson, but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t cut him. Chaisson was drafted 20th overall in 2020 but hasn’t met expectations. He only has three career sacks. If Chaisson is cut, Jacksonville would be on the hook for $4.2 million.
2022 No. 1 overall pick Travon Walker, a piece to build around, will be Chaisson’s replacement. Since the Jaguars are a legitimate playoff team, veteran free agents may now find Duval County an attractive landing spot.
Kamu Geugier-Hill, most recently with Arizona, might be worth a look; he played for Jaguars HC Doug Pederson in Philadelphia. Duke Riley is another former Eagle who makes sense for Jacksonville.
Roy Robertson-Harris, defensive tackle
Sixth-year veteran Robertson-Harris has an out in his contract, and if he’s cut, it will leave a $2.3 million dead cap hit. Jacksonville would save $7.8 million.
This season, Robertson-Harris was the 55th-highest-graded interior defender by Pro Football Focus, which isn’t ideal given that he earns the 21st-highest average salary among NFL defensive tackles. Robertson-Harris had three sacks last season and has 13.5 total for his career.
The Jaguars can continue getting younger on their defensive line during the draft. Baylor’s 358-pound defensive tackle Siaki Ika could be in consideration when the Jaguars are on the clock in April. If they add a veteran instead, impending free agent Linval Joseph (Eagles) could be a cheap rotational depth piece.
