The Jacksonville Jaguars have lost a lot on their defensive line and it wouldn’t be surprising to see them make some moves to add players to the unit, whether is for a starter or depth purposes. One name that fans have brought up who could help is pass-rusher Jadeveon Clowney, who is the hottest name on the free-agent market right now.
Those same fans may be happy to know that the Jags just might be interested as ESPN’s Dianna Russini reported that the Jaguars are monitoring his situation.
While the price for Clowney is still too high for Seattle, I’m told the Jacksonville Jaguars are also monitoring the situation per sources.
— Dianna Russini (@diannaESPN) September 3, 2020
Clowney is a player the Jags and their fans know all too well as he spent several years in the AFC South after being drafted by the Houston Texans (No. 1 overall) in 2014. However, just last year he was traded out of the division (to the Seattle Seahawks) for Barkevious Mingo, Jacob Martin, and a 2020 third-round pick.
Of course, the Jags aren’t alone for his services, however, as Russini also reported that the Tennessee Titans and New Orleans Saints are making strong pushes for him.
Jadeveon Clowney could be with a team a very soon. I’m told the Tennessee Titans and the New Orleans Saints are both making strong pushes to sign the free agent. Both teams want him on the field by Monday and are making their pitches.
— Dianna Russini (@diannaESPN) September 3, 2020
Simply put, both teams are more desirable situations for Clowney because they are playoff caliber teams. However, if there is a glimmer of hope for Jags fans to hang on to it’s the fact that they have more cap space than both teams with a projected amount of just under $35 million.
The New Orleans Saints have a projected amount of almost $7 million, which will make it a hard task for them, too. The Titans on the other hand may have a better chance, as they have a projected total of $22.1 million. That said, of the three teams, Tennessee may have the best shot if it’s about a combination of money and winning. However, the Jags could construct a better deal with more wiggle room in terms of the salary cap.
Clowney will enter 2020 with 236 career tackles and 32 career sacks. With the Jags losing Yannick Ngakoue, he’d bring a veteran presence for the Jags’ defensive line room and could make a dangerous trio when combining his abilities with that of Josh Allen and K’Lavon Chaisson.