Tag: Dave Caldwell

ESPN floats out a trade deal for Jags to send Yannick Ngakoue to Browns

With the deadline for him to sign the franchise tag approaching, ESPN proposed potential trade for Yannick Ngakoue involving the Browns.

With less than a month until the Jacksonville Jaguars report for training camp ahead of the 2020 season, their situation with Yannick Ngakoue remains one of the major talking points across the NFL.

After announcing that “his time was up” in Jacksonville in March, the pass-rusher has made no known attempts to reconcile with the organization. In fact, Ngakoue now remains one of only five players yet to sign their franchise tag tender.

With the chances of a long-term deal feeling almost nonexistent, and the former Maryland Terrapin threatening to sit out the season, general manager Dave Caldwell’s leverage is diminishing as we approach the July 15 deadline. In a nutshell, if Ngakoue isn’t going to play for the Jags and isn’t traded by then, the potential in terms of compensation for him will decrease because he’d only be eligible to sign the franchise tag, which is only a one-year deal.

If the Jaguars want to get maximum value from the player, the sensible thing to do would be to trade him before that deadline passes. Since Jamal Adams declared his desire to leave New Jersey, multiple outlets have entertained the idea that the Jaguars should package Ngakoue with a 2021 pick to propose for the All-Pro safety. That being said, any potential deal for Adams remains improbable at best.

However, ESPN’s Field Yates proposed a different deal for the Jaguars to rid themselves of this situation in order to prevent any distractions ahead of training camp. In a recent article, Yates suggested tight end David Njoku and a 2021 second-round pick as compensation to send Ngakoue to the Cleveland Browns.

Approaching the offseason, many would have expected more in return for such a productive pass-rusher, but nothing materialized. That was even the case after a pre-draft Twitter altercation between Ngakoue and son of Shad Khan, Tony Khan, that led to Khan saying the compensation had to be right.

The Jaguars already have an additional 2021 first-rounder after trading Jalen Ramsey to the Los Angeles Rams last October. That said, adding further capital for the next draft could entice Caldwell as he continues rebuilding this roster for the second time.

As for Njoku, he’d add an interesting option for quarterback Gardner Minshew. Still only 23, the former Miami Hurricane could fall victim to the numbers game in Cleveland after they signed Austin Hooper in the offseason and drafted Harrison Bryant in April. For those reasons, many could view him as a tradable piece.

Njoku broke his wrist early on in 2019 and only played in four games as a result. Still, many saw promise out of him in his first two seasons. The Jaguars have already added Tyler Eifert this offseason, but the oft-injured tight end probably shouldn’t be the only answer at a position that has plagued the Jaguars since Marcedes Lewis left in 2017.

If a trade deal is to happen, the team acquiring Ngakoue will likely have to weigh whether they are comfortable paying him the long-term deal he reportedly wants, averaging $22 million a year. For the Jaguars, however, they would be acquiring a player of significant need for little to no money at all. Njoku’s 2020 salary would be a mere $1.7 million and wouldn’t require an extension until 2022.

While this might not be the most likely trade, this is certainly the type of avenue Caldwell should look to pursue. Any extra capital for the 2021 NFL Draft will be useful, and adding young starters at affordable salaries is going to be vital in his attempt to build a team that can compete for the long-term.

Podcast: Jags march for Black Lives matter, Dave Caldwell’s top-5 worst picks

In episode 19 of the “Bleav in the Jags” podcast, Phil and James compiled a list of Caldwell’s worst draft picks and the latest in team news.

After a week off, Jags Wire contributor Phil Smith and I got back in the booth to record another episode of the “Bleav in the Jags” podcast. To follow up our last episode where we looked at Dave Caldwell’s best draft picks, we wrapped up our two-part series by previewing his five worst in episode 19.

However, before getting into our main topic, Phil and I discussed the monumental march that took place off the field as the Jags protested for the Black Lives Matters movement Friday. We also discussed Shad Khan’s essay against racism and what we’d like to see from him going forward to help against the battle inequality.

All of that and more was tackled in our latest podcast!

Feel free to listen to the archived episodes of “Bleav in the Jags,” too, and subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Google Play, or Spotify.

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Watch: Leonard Fournette works on footwork and agility in workout video

Leonard Fournette posted his first workout video of the year and it’s one that should get fan pumped about the upcoming season.

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette will be coming off another 1,000-yard season in 2019 and will look to put together a stronger season in 2020 as it will be a contract year for him. He was also able to accumulate a career high in yards per carry with 4.3, though he unfortunately had a career-low in touchdowns with just three.

With COVID-19 causing complications for the nation and world, players are having to get ready for the upcoming season away from their respective facilities, which has provided the web with a lot of workout videos. Fournette released one of his own Tuesday displaying his agility, footwork, and reflexes, which should really get fans pumped about the season.

Jags head coach Doug Marrone and general manager Dave Caldwell will be fighting for their jobs this season and will undoubtedly need help from Fournette to avoid being fired. Second year quarterback Gardner MinshewII will need some help from the fourth-year rusher, too, as he could help open up the offense with a successful season on the ground.

Jags’ 2021 salary cap situation projected to be among best in NFL

The Jags purged themselves of some massive contracts and will be in excellent shape in 2021 as far as the salary cap goes.

The Jacksonville Jaguars worked hard to get their salary cap situation right this offseason, and while it cost them a lot of veteran talent, their salary cap will be quite healthy in 2021. In fact, Per Over the Cap, with a projected total of over $96.9 million set to be available for the Jags, only one team will have more available in the Indianapolis Colts with a projected amount of $116.1 million.

The Jags 2021 cap situation isn’t that shocking because of all of the veterans they parted ways with this offseason in quarterback Nick Foles, cornerback A.J. Bouye, and defensive lineman Calais Campbell via trade. They also parted ways with receiver Marqise Lee, who was set to be signed until 2021.

After all of those moves the Jags limited the amount of big contracts they handed out as Joe Schobert was the only player to make what would be called a “huge pay day.” His deal was a five-year, $53.75 million deal that includes $21.50 million.

With an abundance of cap space and nine draft selections, the Jags can take a significant step in 2021 with the right additions. They can also take care of some players with expiring contracts like running back Leonard Fournette (if their mind isn’t already made up), tackle Cam Robinson, receiver Dede Westbrook, and defensive end Dawuane Smoot to name a few. They could also push for a new extension with receiver D.J. Chark is he continues to grow in 2020.

The bigger question, however, is predicting who will get to spend 2021’s cash. Will it be general manager Dave Caldwell and coach Doug Marrone, or will it be another regime?

Right now, it’s honestly hard to see Shad Khan keeping Caldwell and Marrone if they have the same record as last year. However, if they get seven wins or more, Caldwell can add to what’s already in place and make the team a postseason caliber roster during the 2021 offseason.

Official uniform numbers for the Jaguars’ 2020 draft class

The Jags’ 2020 rookie class uniform numbers have been made official!

The Jacksonville Jaguars used all 12 of their draft selections during the 2020 NFL Draft, bringing in seven players on defense and five on offense.

Here are the uniform numbers each player will wear as they begin their journey in the NFL:

Jags GM says he wants Yannick Ngakoue back with team, would welcome him with open arms

It remains clear the Jags want to keep Yannick Ngakoue and the team’s GM made that clear after Round 1 of the draft.

Despite the rumors that surfaced recently, Jacksonville Jaguars general manager Dave Caldwell said that the organization wasn’t able to get any offers for disgruntled defensive end Yannick Ngakoue (and perhaps didn’t try). As a result, Caldwell, who remains careful about speaking on the situation, said he thinks Ngakoue’s options are limited heading forward but stressed that he’d love to have him back.

“I try to be very pragmatic about it,” Caldwell said Thursday evening. “Truth be told, we exercised the franchise tender. We weren’t able to get a trade. Actually, weren’t even really able to get an offer. So, I think his options are very limited at this point in time.”

“We’ll welcome him back with open arms when he’s ready to come back and we look forward to it. Yann, for the people on this call and who have been around him realize he is a tremendous player, tremendous person, has always been first-class in everything he’s done here in the locker room and through his time here, the first four years of his contract.”

As most are aware, the Jags’ non-exclusive franchise tag was assigned to Ngakoue on March 13, which is the day he also came out to say he didn’t want to spend his future with the team. Earlier this week, he also got into an exchange on social media with Jags front office executive and son of Shad Khan, Tony Khan, demanding that the team trade him. Yet, it appears the Jags are still fine with him remaining with the organization, but only time will tell if Ngakoue comes around.

Under the tag, a team would have to surrender two first-round picks to sign Ngakoue. However, if he does sign the franchise tag, it will guarantee him just under $18 million.

The Jags don’t appear certain he’ll be returning to the field with them after selecting Louisiana State pass-rusher K’Lavon Chaisson with the No. 20 overall pick. He’ll join the Jags’ first-round pick from 2019, Josh Allen, to provide some pass-rush for the Jags’ defense which lost a lot of veterans this offseason. That said, if Ngakoue miraculously decided to return, the Jags’ pass-rushing corps would be very interesting.

Top-50 players remaining in the 2020 NFL Draft

With the 2020 NFL Draft set to resume later on this evening, here is an adapted list of the top-50 remaining prospects on the board.

With Night 1 in the books and the first 32 off the board, everyone’s attention is now focused on rounds two and three of the 2020 NFL Draft. Scouts and analysts will often say that rosters are built on Day 2, which is the day where teams look to find under the radar starters who can take their franchise to the next level.

For the Jags they began the 2020 draft process by adding some help against the pass, adding sticky man-corner C.J. Henderson and national champion edge rusher K’Lavon Chaisson. Now, they could look to finish up bolstering the defense or perhaps land Gardner Minshew II some help on offense.

As always in the first round, teams have reached on players that they perhaps shouldn’t, meaning that plenty of players ranked in the top-32 are still left on the board. Teams at the top of round two will be jumping at the bit to secure what remains of the elite talent in this class.

Earlier in the week Jaguars Wire published a top-100 big board for the 2020 class, but with Round 2 set to kick off Friday evening, we’ve condensed the list to the top-50 remaining talents teams have left to choose from:

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3

Poll: How do you feel about the Jags’ selection of Florida CB C.J. Henderson?

So how do you all feel about the Jags’ selections of Florida CB C.J. Henderson?

With the No. 9 pick of the 2020 NFL Draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars selected cornerback C.J. Henderson out of Florida.

The 6-foot-1, 204-pound cornerback ran a 4.39 at the Scouting Combine back in February. The Jaguars were in desperate need of corner help after trading Pro-Bowl pair Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye earlier this year.

Henderson established himself this year as an elite man-coverage corner and will be looking to come in and contribute as a true number one in coverage from day one.

With three of the top tier elite offensive linemen and no wide receivers taken at the time, how do you feel about the Jaguars’ selection of the former Gator?

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Jaguars select Florida CB C.J. Henderson with No. 9 overall pick

The Jacksonville Jaguars roll with another Florida Gator for their first pick of the 2020 NFL Draft.

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The Jacksonville Jaguars lost a lot on the defensive side of the ball, including two Pro Bowl cornerbacks in Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye. That said, they’ve decided to bolster the position with the selection of Florida cornerback C.J. Henderson with pick No. 9 of the 2020 NFL Draft.

Henderson was regarded as the second-best cornerback of the 2020 NFL Draft class by most, only under Ohio State’s Jeff Okudah. His addition will give the Jags a new No. 1 cornerback after they traded Ramsey last year and he’ll join Tre Herndon to make for the team’s new tandem on the outside. 

His dominance at cornerback earned him first-team All-SEC honors in 2019. He was also able to garner 33 tackles and 11 pass breakups in 2019 while facing elite receivers like Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs, and Ja’Marr Chase.  

Worst case scenario for Jags’ No. 9, No. 20 picks: Reaching at QB, OT

Whilst most are full of optimism ahead of the 2020 NFL Draft, this is a quick outline of some situations Jaguars fans should be wary of.

We are just a few hours away from the start of the 2020 NFL Draft and finding out who the newest members of the Jacksonville Jaguars are. The Jaguars own two first-round picks tonight, both in the top-20, which leaves them in position to draft multiple starting, potentially Pro-Bowl level prospects.

Now, will they draft two Pro-Bowl talents tonight? We can hope so.
Does Dave Caldwell have the propensity to miss on first-round picks? History says, yes.

So, what would have to happen for it to all go wrong? Well, the front office would have to fail to recognize quite how bad the current roster is. After shipping away so many starting players this offseason, and with Yannick Ngakoue and Leonard Fournette rumored to be on the move, the team looks a shadow of its 2019 self, let alone that of the playoff team two years ago.

Despite landing free-agent linebacker Joe Schobert last month, the Jaguars have question marks at just about every position on the roster. With such a lack of talent on the team, the Jaguars can almost throw away any draft plan and just take the best players available. Within reason.

The Jaguars do have needs everywhere, but some of them are more pressing than others. It was made apparent last year that despite the heavy resources that have been put into it, the offensive line isn’t good enough. Therefore, the Jaguars should be looking to secure one of the three top offensive tackles with the No. 9 overall pick.

Now, if a prospect like Isaiah Simmons or Jeff Okudah somehow falls to No. 9, all is forgiven. What couldn’t be forgiven, is if the Jaguars reach on an average quarterback to challenge Gardner Minshew II in the top-10.
There are two legitimate starting quarterback prospects in this year’s class, and both Joe Burrow and Tua Tagovailoa are likely to be long gone before Jacksonville takes the virtual podium. Now, if Tagovailoa somehow slides, then Caldwell would be wise to make him a Jaguar. However, using a top-10 selection on either Justin Herbert or Jordan Love would be a mistake for an offense that is devoid of any identity beyond a Fu Manchu under center.

This isn’t to say Minshew’s position as the franchise quarterback should be infallible, but rather that he should be given the year to decide whether he is the answer or not. If for no other reason than if he isn’t, the Jaguars will be in a prime position to take a legitimate franchise quarterback prospect this time next year.

No single draft class has a 100% hit rate with first-round quarterbacks. In 2017 there was Mitch Trubisky, in 2018 there was Josh Rosen, and last year there was Daniel Jones taken at least 20 spots too early. That isn’t to say neither Herbert or Love will work at the NFL level, but Jacksonville isn’t a place a rookie quarterback will find success in 2020.

To couple this cataclysmic mistake, what should have Jaguars fans be worried about at 20? The answer is simple, and it’s the second tier of offensive tackles. The Jaguars seem to be making a living off taking Day 2 offensive tackles and hoping they work. They did it last year with rookie Jawaan Taylor (who looked good despite the penalties), and they did the same thing back in 2017 with Cam Robinson, who most would say has been hot and cold.

As discussed earlier, the Jaguars’ initial plan for the ninth overall pick should really be one of the top-tier offensive linemen. Jedrick Wills, Tristan Wirfs, and Andrew Thomas all look to have the makings of a franchise tackle. Even Mekhi Becton has the traits and size that scouts will fall in love with and try and justify in the top-10.

After that it gets a bit scary, names like Josh Jones, Austin Jackson, and Ezra Cleveland are beginning to be mentioned for the Jaguars at No. 20. Simply put, instead of taking an offensive tackle outside the top-10, why not do it properly and just get one of the elite tackle prospects. That is if the Jags don’t select an elite defender who slid in the draft.

However, with question marks on the interior, the team would perhaps be better suited looking toward some of the Day 2 interior prospects rather than hoping they can hit reaching on a tackle early.

Talents like Cesar Ruiz, Robert Hunt, or John Simpson would be Day 1 starters at guard and provide further insurance if the team decides to move on from Andrew Norwell after 2020.