JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jaguars targeted six players during free agency, but ended up with seven in what was an aggressive and successful first haul for the duo of general manager, Trent Baalke, and head coach, Doug Pederson.
"I think we had a plan that we worked hard on for several weeks since the coaching staff got in place, we had six targets and we got six targets."
The Jaguars are spending big money to bring several new players to the roster.
March 16
The Jacksonville Jaguars have officially agreed to terms with seven players, according to a press release sent by the team Wednesday afternoon.
- Evan Engram (TE)
- Folorunso Fatukasi (DT)
- Zay Jones (WR)
- Christian Kirk (WR)
- Foyesade Oluokun (LB)
- Brandon Scherff (OL)
- Darious Williams (CB)
The Jags beefed up their wide receiver room adding former Arizona Cardinal, Christian Kirk, and Las Vegas Raider, Zay Jones. Kirk caught 77 passes for 982 yards and five touchdowns last year. Jones snagged 47 balls for 546 yards and one touchdown during the 2021-2022 season.
"Receiver happened to be top of the list for us," Pederson said. "These guys move around a lot and we use them based on game plan where they can be most advantageous against an opponent, he's (Kirk) going to line up in the slot, he's (Kirk) going to line up outside, he (Kirk) may line up next to a tackle," Pederson added.
"His (Zay Jones) time speed, he's explosive, this guy you watch him on film the way he comes off the football his explosiveness...he and I believe Renfrow (Hunter Renfrow) kind of became their one and two," Pederson said.
Jacksonville also added former New York Giants tight end, Evan Engram, to their pass-catching room.
"He's a guy that's got a great skillset, he's a runner...he's smart, he can separate...I think it just makes that room a little bit better," Pederson said.
When asked about former Washington offensive lineman, Brandon Scherff, Trent Baalke, repeatedly said, "culture-builder," and that he isn't worried about the lineman's injury history as he's only played one full season since 2016.
"When you take a deep dive into his injury, it's not as bad as reported I think the guy plays a lot of football when he's on the field he's as good as it gets," Baalke said.
"The culture part of it was a big factor in the decision and the fact that one of our coaches has worked with him in the past, knows him, knows him at every level, knows what he could bring to the organization and to the offensive line in particular....he wanted to be here," Baalke said.
Foye Oluokun and Foley Fatukasi were also high on the Jaguars defensive list.
"He's (Fatukasi) more than a run-stopper, he can play on third down, he can push the pocket and he's done that. Our defensive staff really felt like he was the No. 1 guy and so we made every effort to get him here," Baalke said.
"He (Oluokun) makes about every tackle on field...he's a hard worker, culture- builder, he's healthy, he's young...he's just beginning his career really," Baalke said.
Former Creekside star, Darious Williams, was the seventh addition to the free agent class. The former Ram made it clear he was willing to leave money on the open market in order to come home.
"Go back and watch him (Williams) guard Christian Kirk, he's a good football player," Baalke said. "He's proven he can play outside, he's proven he can play inside," he added.
"We were working on, for 48 hours since the window started was Darious and again he chose to come here for a lot of reasons he had better situations in terms of dollars offered to him...this was something that he was passionate about getting home," Baalke said.
March 15
- The Jacksonville Jaguars have parted ways with Myles Jack. The team officially released its statement Tuesday.
RELATED: Jaguars release Myles Jack
"I'm going to keep the conversation with Myles between us, but we had a great talk in fact we met twice yesterday. He understood where we were at, Myles has done an awful lot for this organization, an awful lot for this community. He deserves an opportunity to go out there and he will I mean he's going to go out there and test the market, we just felt like this was the right time to do it..." Baalke said.
- The team extended WR Terry Godwin.
- The team sent an RFA tender at the right of first refusal to S Andrew Wingard.
- The Detroit Lions are looking to sign Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver DJ Chark Jr. to a one-year deal, according to reports. ESPN's Adam Schefter tweeted the deal is expected to be worth up to $12 million.
"It's a two-way street, you can want someone and they can maybe not want you or you can't come together on what that looks like and I think in D.J.'s case...it was a situation where we couldn't come together," Baalke said.
March 14:
- Reports that Washington Commanders guard Brandon Scherff intends to sign with the Jags.
- According to multiple reports, the Jags are set to sign New York Jets defensive tackle Folorunso Fatukasi on a three-year, $30 million deal with $20 million in guaranteed money.
- We're told the Jags and Falcons linebacker Foye Oluokun have agreed on a three-year, $45 million deal, with $28 million guaranteed at signing.
- A report from Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Jags will sign former Arizona Cardinals receiver Christian Kirk.
- Former New York Giants tight end Evan Engram has agreed in principle to a one-year, $9 million deal with the Jaguars.
- Reports say the Jags and former Raiders receiver Zay Jones have agreed to a three-year, $24 million contract with a maximum value of $30 million.
RELATED: Reports: Jaguars have deals with Brandon Scherff, Folorunso Fatukasi, Foye Oluokun and more