Jaguars plan to be less aggressive in free agency...Wait..what?

Yesterday multiple sources including Jaguars beat writer Tania Ganguli posted that the Jaguars will be less aggressive on March 13th when the NFL's free agency season begins. When I first heard this I was like that doesn't make any sense seeing how the Jags have needs and the market will people open for some great players that would be welcomed down here in Duval County. But then I saw a tweet from Pete Prisco and I understood what "less aggressive" meant. Last year the Jags with a shortened off season signed 5 starters to the defensive team. Paul Posluzny, Clint Session, Dawan Landry, Matt Roth and Drew Coleman were all signed to the team and the Jaguars went from a 30th ranked defense at the beginning of the season to having the number 6 ranked defense in the NFL.  This season our needs are slightly different.

The Jags have an obvious need at WR. Our best receiver this year was Marcedes Lewis who end these season with 460 receiving yards the highest for the team. Other than receiver there are only a few other holes that need to be plugged in the Jags roster. One big question mark looms in the spot where Rasheen Mathis is. Smith made it clear that resigning Mathis is a priority for the team but the question is will it be in a starter or 2nd string role and if that is the case then the Jags will pursue someone through free agency to help with the load. The other spot that needs to be filled is the defensive end position where Aaron Kampman was brought in to fill. Kampman has been plagued by knee injuries since November 2010 and has not fully recovered. He spent the beginning half of the 2011 season on the sideline before finally seeing action in a limited role in week six. That role only lasted three games before Kampman was sidelined again. He would eventually wind up on IR before and once again the Jaguars 24 million dollar investment was out of action.

Mario Williams and John Abraham are names I constantly see on Twitter that fans would like to see Gene Smith to pursue. Rebuilding through the draft has always been a philosophy the Jaguars have practiced. Shad Khan told Smith and Mularkey at January's ready to rise rally to spend to the cap. Khan was play makers and he wants them here. The big question is WWGD....What Will Gene Do?

If rebuilding through the draft is what the Jaguars want to do then some names that stood out to me at the combine was Ga Tech WR Stephen Hill, of course Oaklahoma St. WR Justin Blackmon and Michael Floyd from Notre Dame. All have potential to be a #1 receiver. I would not be surprised to hear one of their names at the 7th pick of the draft if they are still on the board.