Many journalists who cover the Jacksonville Jaguars closely all seem to agree on at least one thing, and that’s the belief that the team’s general manager vacancy is a very attractive one. With the most projected cap space for 2021, the No. 2 overall pick in their grasp (for now) and some pieces already in place like James Robinson and Myles Jack, the next front office leader will have several tools to build with.
However, it appears that belief is now one shared with those in the NFL, too. In a recent overview about the latest buzz concerning the NFL openings that will be available in 2021, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano stated that a few industry sources feel the Jags vacancy is the best job of the available four. They also threw out a name to research for the vacancy.
We’ve talked to a few industry sources who consider Jacksonville the best job of the four general manager openings, citing an owner who wants to win, nearly $80 million in projected cap space, the angle on the No. 2 overall pick (for Ohio State’s Justin Fields, presumably) and a group of good, young players already in place. “It’s a rebuild, but if you’re into that, it’s a great rebuild situation,” an NFC exec said. Another name to watch here: Patriots pro personnel director Dave Ziegler.
For the sake of Jags fans, the intrigue is certainly a good thing. However, the next important variable to consider is who will be searching for the Jags. Many fans have come out to say they aren’t high on owner Shad Khan being that person as his expertise is more so as a businessman.
With that being the case, maybe Khan should follow the lead of Houston Texans owner, Cal McNair, and put together an advisory committee of sports figures to aid him on the search. There are several players at the least who still associate themselves with the team like Fred Taylor, Leon Searcy, Bucky Brooks and Tony Boselli. He could also reach out to some other sports executives (as McNair did for his committee) like Miami Heat president Pat Riley, but that’s just a suggestion.
As for Dave Ziegler, he’s currently the New England Patriots’ assistant director of player personnel, making him the right-hand man of Nick Caserio, the team’s director of player personnel. He earned that title in August after spending three with the Pats as their assistant director of pro scouting and four with his previous title as director of pro personnel afterward.
It’s worth noting that Ziegler has a close relationship with Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, who broke him on to the NFL scene when he was the head coach of the Denver Broncos. Several feel he’s a detailed oriented executive and is well respected in the league.
3. Don’t pair McDaniels w/ Nick Caserio as an obvious package. McDaniels & #Patriots pro personnel head Dave Ziegler have ties dating to Ziegler’s hiring by McDaniels in Denver. Ziegler is detail oriented, repected and next in line in NE behind Caserio. He’s a good fit w/ Josh.
— Charles Robinson (@CharlesRobinson) December 30, 2019
Many have looked to the Patriots front office to poach Caserio from them due to their consistency as an organization. Obviously, they’ve been unsuccessful, so it’s not shocking that the names of his lieutenants are starting to come up.