Tag: Free-agency

Former Falcons RB Devonta Freeman visiting Jags

The Jags appears be looking for another veteran presence on offense and will get a visit from free-agent RB Devonta Freeman.

The Jacksonville Jaguars announced their final 53-man roster Saturday afternoon, but with an extremely young roster, there could be some changes before the regular season.

One area they could especially use a veteran presence at is at running back and help may be on the way in the form of free-agent running back Devonta Freeman. Per ESPN insider Adam Schefter, he’ll be visiting the Jags soon as the team prepares for the Indianapolis Colts Week 1.

Freeman, 28, has been a free-agent since March 16 when the Atlanta Falcons released him. In the process of waiting for the right opportunity, Freeman changed agents and is now represented by Drew Rosenhaus.

The Jags currently have veteran Chris Thompson, rookie James Robinson, second-year player Devine Ozigbo, and fullback Bruce Miller on the roster. Ryquell Armstead was placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list Friday, and with many assuming he was going to make the roster, the Jags seemingly would feel comfortable having four tailbacks. Additionally, the team released Leonard Fournette on Monday, which left a void in terms of experience.

Freeman will enter 2020 with 3,972 rushing yards and 32 career rushing touchdowns. Last season he battled a foot injury, but managed to play in 14 games still and was able to accumulate 656 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

Jaguars sign RB Chris Thompson to a 1-year deal

The Jacksonville Jaguars will be bringing in former Washington Redskins running back Chris Thompson on a one-year deal, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. RB Chris Thompson is signing a one-year deal with the Jaguars, per source. Good pass-catching …

The Jacksonville Jaguars will be bringing in former Washington Redskins running back Chris Thompson on a one-year deal, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

Thompson, 29, was a fifth-round selection (No. 154 overall) out of Florida State for the Redskins in 2013 NFL Draft. While there he served predominantly as a pass-catcher and will enter Jacksonville with 1,772 career receiving yards and 10 receiving touchdowns. As a rusher, he managed to garner 1,194 career yards and five touchdowns with Washington.

Thompson is also a native of Greenville, Fla., just an hour and 45 minutes from Jacksonville.

Thompson played under current Jaguars coordinator Jay Gruden from 2014-19. With there being a connection between the two, it appears the Jags wanted to add a veteran to their running backs room. Currently, the group includes Leonard Fournette, Ryquell Armstead, and Devine Ozigbo at the top of the depth chart, none of whom have been in the league as long as Thompson.

Report: Tyler Eifert contract worth $15.5 million, other specifics remain unclear

The Jacksonville Jaguars addressed their most pressing need on offense with the addition of tight end Tyler Eifert Tuesday. Due to his connection with Jags offensive coordinator Jay Gruden, the move could pay off in the end as it brings in a red …

The Jacksonville Jaguars addressed their most pressing need on offense with the addition of tight end Tyler Eifert Tuesday. Due to  his connection with Jags offensive coordinator Jay Gruden, the move could pay off in the end as it brings in a red zone threat who is familiar with the system.

With Eifert’s history with injuries, the key will be his ability to stay healthy as he’s only participated in 59 games over his seven year career. Despite that, he has the chance to earn $15.5 million over the course of his two-year deal, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, however, the rest of his contract specifics are unknown.

Upon first glancing at Rapoport’s statements, fans probably won’t like that figure for the veteran but it’s worth noting that the deal is incentive based. That news was reported by the Associated Press’ Mark Long on Tuesday.

When looking at how they’ve done contracts in the past, it’s possible the deal will have an out in year two, with the guarantees mostly paid off. That way if the Jags get enough out of Eifert in 2020, they can make another decision next spring but that’s just pure speculation.

Eifert will enter 2020 with a career total of 185 catches, 2,152 yards and 24 touchdowns. When healthy he’s been a big-time red zone threat and could help Gardner Minshew II improve his play significantly in 2020.

Doug Marrone says Tyler Eifert adds ‘immense value’ as a blocker, praises receiving skills

The Jacksonville Jaguars made a big addition on defense last week when they came to terms with linebacker Joe Schobert. This week, however, they did it for the offense by adding tight end Tyler Eifert. Just as he has for all of the Jags’ free agent …

The Jacksonville Jaguars made a big addition on defense last week when they came to terms with linebacker Joe Schobert. This week, however, they did it for the offense by adding tight end Tyler Eifert.

Just as he has for all of the Jags’ free agent additions, coach Doug Marrone discussed the Jags’ reasoning behind Eifert’s signing, and as most suspected, it was due to his abilities as a duel threat.

“Tyler is a proven contributor in this league, and we’re excited to add him to our team,” Marrone said, per Jaguars.com. “He has shown the ability to be a playmaker in the passing game, especially in the red zone, while also adding immense value as a blocker in the run game.

“I expect him to make us more efficient and productive on the offensive side of the ball, and after speaking with Tyler, I know he’s eager for this opportunity.”

The Jags entered the 2020 offseason with a clear need at tight end. Their two most notable names at the position, Josh Oliver and James O’Shaughnessy, both ended up on injured reserve in 2019, leaving them with a mix of regular season free agent additions. With both returning, the Jags will at least start the season off significantly better than they were last year but the key will be for them to remain healthy throughout the season.

Eifert will be coming off a tenure with the Bengals in which he had injury issues of his own and only played in 59 games over the course of seven seasons. Needless to say, this will make the contract details of his two year deal very important. However, it’s worth noting that he participated in all of the Bengals’ games last season.

With the Jags looking to build around Gardner Minshew II, Eifert’s addition could pay off in a big way as the young quarterback clearly took a liking to O’Shaughnessy before he tore his ACL in 2019. Without O’Shaughnessy and Oliver, the Jags registered a 40.43% red zone scoring percentage (touchdowns only) by the time 2019 ended. That figure was good for 31st in the league, so one could clearly understand the Jags’ efforts to fix the issue.

NFL free agency: Jags agree to terms with Tyler Eifert

The Jags came to terms with veteran TE Tyler Eifert, bolstering their TE group which desperately needed another veteran.

After adding several members to their defense during the early stages of free agency, the Jacksonville Jaguars turned their attention to the offense Tuesday. Per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, the Jacksonville Jaguars agreed to terms with veteran tight end Tyler Eifert. The deal is reportedly for a two-year incentive-based contract but the figures are unknown.

Eifert, 29, was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the first-round (No. 21 overall) of the 2013 NFL Draft. While there he played under current Jags coordinator Jay Gruden for a season (2013) and accumulated 39 catches for 445 yards (his second-highest total) and two touchdowns.

Tight end was a top-3 need for the Jags in the eyes of most and adding Eifert gives the Jags’ young offense a veteran who is familiar with the system Gruden will be utilizing. He’ll join notables James O’Shaugnessy and Josh Oliver, both of whom will be coming off injured reserve. His presence can especially help Oliver, who the team is high on and is coming off his rookie campaign.

The key for Eifert will be his health as he’s missed 53 of 112 games. In terms of starts, he’ll enter his Jags tenure with 39.

Eifert will enter 2020 with a career total of 185 catches, 2,152 yards and 24 touchdowns. Last year, he totaled 43 catches for 436 yards and three touchdowns and accumulated a Pro Football Focus grade of 65.7.