The NFL offseason has begun, and Yahoo Sports is previewing the coming months for all 32 teams, from free agency to the draft and more.
AFC East: Bills | Dolphins | Patriots | Jets
AFC North: Ravens | Bengals | Browns | Steelers
AFC South: Texans | Colts | Jaguars | Titans
AFC West: Broncos | Chiefs | Raiders | Chargers
National League East: Cowboys | Giants | Eagles | Commander
NFC North: Bears | Lions | Packers | Vikings
National League South: Falcons | Panthers | Saints | Buccaneers
NFC West: Cardinals | Rams | 49ers | Seahawks
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jacksonville jaguars
2025 season record: 13 wins and 4 losses (7.5 wins), first in the AFC South Division, lost to the Bills in the AFC wild card round, sixth in DVOA
Overview
The success the Jacksonville Jaguars have had in head coach Liam Cohen’s first year on the job cannot be overstated. Thirteen wins and an AFC South title is more than most Jacksonville fans could have imagined, even at certain points this regular season. The offense struggled through the first half of the season, and No. 2 overall pick Travis Hunter’s “scheme” felt like he was limited in his potential on both sides of the ball.
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[Get more Jaguars news: Jacksonville team feed]
But this team became one of the best in the second half of the season. The Jakobi Meyers trade put all the offensive pieces in place, and from Week 11 to the end of the regular season, Trevor Lawrence ranked fourth in EPA per game and third in success rate. the jaguars are third Weighted DVOA at season’s end.
Jacksonville made the most of its talent, and it still feels like there’s more to come. Year one couldn’t have gone any better and expectations for year two are high.
cap/cut prospects
The Jaguars have about $15.5 million in effective salary cap space, the eighth-lowest number in the NFL, according to Over The Cap. It’s hard to imagine Trent Baalke coming close to being the general manager again. There aren’t many clear cost-saving initiatives, and a handful of players could save about $2 million each. Jacksonville also doesn’t have a ton of retooling options. OT Walker Little will open at just under $8 million, but his status in the lineup is questionable due to the recent extension with guard Cole Van Lanen. A deal would also save $7 million.
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Will Travon Walker be a trade candidate? Since the former No. 1 overall pick will use his fifth-year option, the Jaguars can free up $15 million and recoup some draft capital lost in the Travis Hunter trade, which cost Jacksonville this year’s first-round pick.
Key Pending Free Agents
LB Devin Lloyd
RB Travis Etienne Jr.
CB Montalik Brown
Andrew Wingard
Lloyd’s fifth-year option was declined, but he had a few big games during the 2025 season. But in the FTN loss, Lloyd ranked just 78th in yards allowed per catch and 39th among linebackers. Etienne is another former first-round pick resurrected for his final season. Etienne ranked 11th in rushing yards, but ranked only 42nd in completion percentage among 49 running backs with at least 100 carries. Brown has been impressive as the outside corner in Anthony Bell’s defense. He ranks 15th among cornerbacks in adjusted yards allowed per catch.
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Job requirements
cornerback
interior defensive line
offensive line
Jacksonville’s need at cornerback may depend on Hunter’s recovery and projected role upon his return. He excelled as an outside corner, ranking 36th in adjusted yards allowed per defense at the position. But it’s unclear what the Jaguars’ plans are for his future. The trade of Tyson Campbell for Greg Newsome is a lose-lose, and Newsome will become a free agent.
Arik Armstead ranks second on the team in pressure and is often the only player in the paint who can create a breakout. Jacksonville ranks seventh in success rate against the run but only 21st in tackle success rate at or behind the line of scrimmage.
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The Jaguars need to figure out how they want to approach the offensive line. Cole Van Lanen’s contract extension is the first sign. The Jaguars’ best offensive line combination at the end of the season, from left to right, was Van Lanen, Ezra Cleveland, Robert Hainsey, Walker Little and Anton Harrison, according to EPA’s per-game data. Jacksonville will make a decision on Harrison’s fifth-year option, leaving Cleveland in 2026, the final year of his contract.
2026 NFL Draft Picks
second round
Round 3 (DET)
third round
Round 3 (DET estimated compensation)
fourth round
Fifth round (SF)
fifth round
Round 7 (DET)
Round 7 (Lal)
Good draft coordination
Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech University
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Hunter isn’t the explosive penetrator the Jaguars prefer, but his combination of size and production could be too good to pass up. Plus, his pass-rushing ability could help him stay on the field and impact games all three games.
Betting on gold nuggets
The Jaguars are one of the most popular teams in the NFL, with a 7-1 regular season record. — Ben Fox
