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THE JAGUARS SHOULD AVOID FREE AGENT LINEBACKER · Duval Daily: A Jacksonville Jaguars Podcast

• 0:00
  [SPEAKER_00]: Jacksonville Jaguar's fans, welcome into Duval, daily presented by Jinjak.com.
• 0:03
  [SPEAKER_00]: I'm Jordan Luda, thanks so much for being here Wednesday, March 4th.
• 0:06
  [SPEAKER_00]: Earlier today, we talked about my top 5 free agent running backs for the Jaguars outside of Travis ETN.
• 0:12
  [SPEAKER_00]: Travis ETN, I'd love to see the Jaguars bring back.
• 0:15
  [SPEAKER_00]: Talked about the running backs, talked about kind of setting up the entire free agency picture.
• 0:19
  [SPEAKER_00]: Basically, the Jaguars are in the red right now.
• 0:21
  [SPEAKER_00]: They have a lot of different ways, restructures that they can get into the green and have enough money to go add some free agents
• 0:29
  [SPEAKER_00]: That's just the way it is.
• 0:31
  [SPEAKER_00]: They have simple restructures.
• 0:33
  [SPEAKER_00]: They have some bigger contracts with Trevor Lawrence and Josh Hines Allen that they could potentially agree to restructure, offer them big signing bonuses, pro-rate those signing bonuses over the length of the contract and then also add void years to create more cap space for 2026 a year in which, in my opinion, the Jaguar should be doing everything they can to compete for a super bowl championship, right?
• 0:58
  [SPEAKER_00]: Looking at linebacker, this is a position where it looks like Devon Lloyd probably going to hit free agency.
• 1:04
  [SPEAKER_00]: The Jaguars didn't use the franchise tag on Tuesday, the Deadline, they didn't franchise tag, Devon Lloyd, Travis ETN, anybody else.
• 1:12
  [SPEAKER_00]: So those guys are all set to be free agents next Monday, really an earnest next Monday when the illegal tampering period commences.
• 1:22
  [SPEAKER_00]: That's what you're looking at, is no franchise tag, Devon Lloyd, probably gonna hit free agency, probably going to be a $18 to $20 million or a linebacker in my estimation.
• 1:33
  [SPEAKER_00]: So linebacker is a position a lot of folks have been talking about replacing in free agency.
• 1:38
  [SPEAKER_00]: I've talked about it here on the channel.
• 1:40
  [SPEAKER_00]: We've looked at some linebackers that could make sense to potentially come in and fill the void.
• 1:45
  [SPEAKER_00]: But after a lot of thought and analysis
• 1:50
  [SPEAKER_00]: just pouring over the different linebackers that they could be available in free agency and the entire situation.
• 1:56
  [SPEAKER_00]: I think if the Jaguars aren't bringing Devon Lloyd back, which it doesn't look like they are, which
• 2:02
  [SPEAKER_00]: I would love to see Devon Lloyd in a Jack's uniform.
• 2:05
  [SPEAKER_00]: It's also nice to know that if he does sign for like $18 to $20 million a year somewhere, you're probably gonna be getting a third round compensatory pickback at worst a fourth round compensatory pickback in 2027.
• 2:15
  [SPEAKER_00]: So it's like you're not getting any value from that situation.
• 2:19
  [SPEAKER_00]: So that's something to keep in mind too.
• 2:21
  [SPEAKER_00]: But I don't think the Jack Wars should sign an off-ball linebacker if Devon Lloyd leaves.
• 2:29
  [SPEAKER_00]: Unless you're talking about a real low end, somebody who's just competing to make the roster type.
• 2:36
  [SPEAKER_00]: Somebody who maybe could push for some reps, but I don't think you need to go sign somebody who is this like 10-year starter in the NFL.
• 2:45
  [SPEAKER_00]: I really don't.
• 2:46
  [SPEAKER_00]: And I think that that would actually be a waste of resources that you could use elsewhere from a salary cap standpoint.
• 2:52
  [SPEAKER_00]: The Jaguar is their flush with cash.
• 2:54
  [SPEAKER_00]: ChodCon always willing to spend whatever it takes, do whatever he can within the rules to help put as much money as he can into the roster and into the team in general, the franchise.
• 3:07
  [SPEAKER_00]: So that's not the issue.
• 3:09
  [SPEAKER_00]: The issue is I think that those resources could be better utilized elsewhere because I think the Jaguars with foiello can obviously, they have a great starting linebacker and I think they've got a couple really good candidates to compete for reps next to foiello, and they have a great coaching staff when it comes to off ball linebacker.
• 3:33
  [SPEAKER_00]: And I think that this NFL draft is absolutely loaded with talented guys who project to at least be good role players if not full time starters at the linebacker position.
• 3:44
  [SPEAKER_00]: So I think it would be a waste of resources to go sign a player to a starting contract at linebacker outside of Devon Lloyd.
• 3:54
  [SPEAKER_00]: So, you've got FOIA, Luke, and who's going to be your Mike, your middle linebacker who kind of just does it all for your defense.
• 4:01
  [SPEAKER_00]: You've also got Ventral Miller, who missed his rookie year, but fourth round pick, 2024, 2025, showed the ability to be a great run defender.
• 4:12
  [SPEAKER_00]: He has shown the ability to blitz as well.
• 4:15
  [SPEAKER_00]: Not the best in coverage all the time, but again, when you talk about getting that coaching,
• 4:20
  [SPEAKER_00]: From Anthony Campanila, from Tim Lucobu, and Anthony Campanila has just done so well as a former linebackers coach, run game coordinator, to get the most out of linebackers over the last several years in the NFL.
• 4:35
  [SPEAKER_00]: So I think Ventral Miller has a chance to be somebody who could make a really big positive impact for you on the field.
• 4:42
  [SPEAKER_00]: I also think Jack Kaiser has that chance too.
• 4:44
  [SPEAKER_00]: A fourth round pick by this regime in 2025, Jack Kaiser has a very complete game.
• 4:52
  [SPEAKER_00]: He's not the biggest guy out there, but he is quick, he is fluid, he diagnosis things well.
• 4:57
  [SPEAKER_00]: I was a big fan of his tape coming out of Notre Dame.
• 5:00
  [SPEAKER_00]: Nothing I saw on the field last year during his limited opportunities.
• 5:04
  [SPEAKER_00]: Really gave me any pause.
• 5:06
  [SPEAKER_00]: I think if those two guys are competing,
• 5:09
  [SPEAKER_00]: and you also bring in a draft pick and don't forget about Branson Combs.
• 5:13
  [SPEAKER_00]: That guy's looked really good on the practice field and undrafted free agent last year who's still in the mix too.
• 5:18
  [SPEAKER_00]: But you just look at the draft.
• 5:20
  [SPEAKER_00]: It is loaded at linebacker.
• 5:23
  [SPEAKER_00]: It's incredible.
• 5:26
  [SPEAKER_00]: Like you pull up top draft linebackers and we can go through the list and I can talk about how exciting each of them is.
• 5:34
  [SPEAKER_00]: And the thing again about the jag wars and their current build,
• 5:40
  [SPEAKER_00]: I think Anthony Campany like can take someone who maybe you see some.
• 5:45
  [SPEAKER_00]: some issues with, mentally, whatever, and take them and get the most out of them, and simplify it.
• 5:52
  [SPEAKER_00]: Like, you literally saw that happen with Devon Lloyd this year.
• 5:55
  [SPEAKER_00]: He had not had a year where he was as consistent in the NFL as he was under Anthony Campanile.
• 6:01
  [SPEAKER_00]: You saw that with Quay Walker.
• 6:02
  [SPEAKER_00]: You saw him take a rookie and Edron Cooper and have a huge year with him as well.
• 6:06
  [SPEAKER_00]: He was a guy that you had some questions about his projection to the next level, not physically, but just like,
• 6:12
  [SPEAKER_00]: adjusting to the NFL game, adjusting to a new role in the NFL, did a tremendous job with him.
• 6:18
  [SPEAKER_00]: Obviously did a great job with FOIA, and again, when guys were on the field last year, like Ventrell and and Jack Kaiser, you didn't see much of a fall off at all, so, and then you look at the draft.
• 6:31
  [SPEAKER_00]: Obviously, our vote recent Sunday style is going to be long gone.
• 6:34
  [SPEAKER_00]: I think CJ Allen at a Georgia will probably be long gone.
• 6:37
  [SPEAKER_00]: But then you talk about every linebacker after that, there's a good chance that they could be available.
• 6:43
  [SPEAKER_00]: And there's a lot of guys to get excited about within this Jack Wars defensive scheme and coaching staff, Jake Golday, to me, has a lot of the Devon Lloyd S. Trates with the size speed, versatility, ability to blitz ability to defend the run.
• 6:56
  [SPEAKER_00]: I think
• 6:57
  [SPEAKER_00]: Anthony Hill out of Texas does as well, and I think he's probably even a better prospect than Jake Golden.
• 7:02
  [SPEAKER_00]: He's ranked lower on ESPN's rankings, but I think I have Anthony Hill higher in my personal rankings.
• 7:07
  [SPEAKER_00]: Jacob Rodriguez is my favorite linebacker in the entire class.
• 7:11
  [SPEAKER_00]: He is extremely fluid athlete.
• 7:13
  [SPEAKER_00]: He diagnosis things well.
• 7:15
  [SPEAKER_00]: He's a great run defender.
• 7:16
  [SPEAKER_00]: He's a playmaker.
• 7:17
  [SPEAKER_00]: He gets his hands on the football, whether it's peanut punch in the ball out, getting his hands on the ball in past coverage and picking passes off.
• 7:24
  [SPEAKER_00]: Awesome player.
• 7:25
  [SPEAKER_00]: Very complete linebacker prospect.
• 7:27
  [SPEAKER_00]: Kyle Lewis.
• 7:28
  [SPEAKER_00]: If you want to kind of switch up the mold of what you're looking for at that off-ball linebacker position, Kyle Lewis out of pit, he is
• 7:36
  [SPEAKER_00]: Basically, a safety plane linebacker, but he's a really good tackler and all that stuff.
• 7:40
  [SPEAKER_00]: He's not going to be able to take on blocks the way you would think about from a traditional linebacker.
• 7:45
  [SPEAKER_00]: But if you want to go into more of a coverage-based linebacker, Kyle Lewis could make sense.
• 7:50
  [SPEAKER_00]: Maybe you have a combination of ventral Miller, Jack Kaiser, and Kyle Lewis plan next to FOIA, Lewakon, and you can do so many different things with those different guys, right?
• 7:58
  [SPEAKER_00]: You've got to be able to defend the past better than you did last year.
• 8:00
  [SPEAKER_00]: I think Kyle Lewis could help you in that regard.
• 8:05
  [SPEAKER_00]: Good athlete, I think he's one of those players kind of like Devin, where at times in his own coverage throughout his career, hasn't looked like he really understands what's going on completely, just little blips here and there could.
• 8:20
  [SPEAKER_00]: Anthony Campany like get that straightened out very quickly.
• 8:23
  [SPEAKER_00]: Aiden Fisher is somebody a lot of people really like out of Indiana as well.
• 8:26
  [SPEAKER_00]: He's a tough player.
• 8:27
  [SPEAKER_00]: I love Torian York who's an undersized player, but I think he's going to be a starter for a long time.
• 8:33
  [SPEAKER_00]: Bryce Bautcher, lower down the list to the ESPN way higher on my list.
• 8:36
  [SPEAKER_00]: He's an ass kicker, drafted to play baseball as well, but he's going to come in and really
• 8:42
  [SPEAKER_00]: In my opinion out of Oregon, I think that he has all the traits to be a good linebacker in the NFL in a particular Anthony company lays defense, you know, can blitz, can cover, can run and hit.
• 8:54
  [SPEAKER_00]: So there's just so many candidates.
• 8:56
  [SPEAKER_00]: I don't think it makes any sense to bring in a starting
• 9:00
  [SPEAKER_00]: a linebacker on a starting contract right if you bring in someone who is lowered down the totem pole isn't going to cost as much as a starter and they compete fine I don't have any problem with that, but signing a name Linebacker a starting caliber linebacker To a starting caliber contract.
• 9:20
  [SPEAKER_00]: I don't think that makes the most sense Now having said that, they'll probably go out and do it just despite me right now, but
• 9:27
  [SPEAKER_00]: I really like what they have in the room right now, and I like what they have the potential to add to the room.
• 9:33
  [SPEAKER_00]: And that wasn't even all the got.
• 9:34
  [SPEAKER_00]: Like, there's kid out of Arizona State who I absolutely love.
• 9:38
  [SPEAKER_00]: There's several other linebackers in this draft beyond who we just talked about, who makes sense.
• 9:42
  [SPEAKER_00]: Josiah Trotter could make sense for them as well.
• 9:45
  [SPEAKER_00]: So, I mean, there's probably legitimately 10 plus linebackers who I would like to, I would be excited to see in Jacksonville from this draft.
• 9:55
  [SPEAKER_00]: And that's not even including the top three guys.
• 9:58
  [SPEAKER_00]: So I just think you're going to be long gone.
• 9:59
  [SPEAKER_00]: Arvel, Reese, Sunny, Styles, and CJ Allen.
• 10:01
  [SPEAKER_00]: I know some people project Arvel, Reese as a edge player, but I think he would be a really good linebacker prospect as well, where he played more throughout his collegiate career.
• 10:11
  [SPEAKER_00]: But all that to say, I don't think the Jaguars need to go spend money at linebacker.
• 10:16
  [SPEAKER_00]: I really don't.
• 10:18
  [SPEAKER_00]: Let me know what you think in the comment section below.
• 10:19
  [SPEAKER_00]: If you enjoy the content, please like and subscribe.
• 10:22
  [SPEAKER_00]: Y'all's a good one.