JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Every year around this time, dozens of players banished during final cuts resurface on other rosters.
For some teams, the added pieces are essential, especially if depth is lacking due to talent or injuries. It's the "circle of life" in the NFL, as teams try to turn other squads' trash into treasure.
The Jacksonville Jaguars have done a good job of scouring the waiver wire for talent. Given their lack of success, the team is typically in a solid position to claim discarded players.
General Manager Dave Caldwell has been no stranger to the waiver wire after final cuts, as he has acquired eight players over the last two years using the method. Seven players were acquired during his first season in office and one was grabbed off the wires last season. He has claimed more than two dozen players overall since taking over personnel moves for the team.
It's not a perfect science, as only one post-first cuts waiver claim has lasted the entirety of Caldwell's tenure, but getting a bit of added depth has helped fill key roles.
The top two post-first cuts waiver claims for Caldwell were tight end Clay Harbor (who remains on the team after signing an extension last offseason) and linebacker J.T. Thomas (who signed a long-term deal to be a starter for the New York Giants this offseason). Guard Jacques McClendon and safety Winston Guy played in depth roles for the better part of two seasons.
The Jaguars have concerns with LEO, safety and linebacker depth heading into the regular season. With potential major cuts looming, the team could theoretically upgrade their talent on the waiver wire. The wire is used for players who have under four seasons of experience, as vested veterans (four or more years of work) automatically become free agents after being released.
The issue for Jacksonville will be the two teams in front them in the pecking order. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers also need reinforcements at pass rusher, while the Tennessee Titans have struggles at linebacker and in the secondary.
The Jaguars needs could mean that some of their claims go unfulfilled because of the squads in front of them. Still, with hundreds of players getting "pink slips" from their respective squads, some talent could slip through the cracks to the Jaguars.
Follow Mike Kaye on Twitter at @Mike_E_Kaye.
