Jaguars News (5/1): Free agent CB Jerry Jacobs brought in for a visit

Your one-stop shop for Jacksonville Jaguars news, opinion, and analysis.

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Here is today’s roundup of the latest news, rumors, and analysis on your Jacksonville Jaguars.

Local chatter

Jaguars release wide receiver Zay Jones, kicker Joey Slye (Big Cat Country)

If the Jaguars had re-signed Ridley earlier this offseason, Jones likely would’ve been cut at that time. Instead, the team waited until after the NFL Draft (i.e., after it secured a replacement for Ridley in Brian Thomas Jr.) to release the veteran wideout.

Jaguars officially agree to terms with 13 undrafted free agents (Big Cat Country)

Jacksonville’s rookies — its 13 UDFA signings and nine draft selections — will participate in rookie minicamp at EverBank Stadium on May 10 and 11. According to various reports, the Jaguars have also invited Jacksonville State center Trey Brown, Army tight end Joshua Lingenfelter and NFL free agent wide receiver Jarvis Landry to try out for the team at minicamp.

Jaguars projected to have 9 picks in 2025 NFL Draft (Big Cat Country)

The Jaguars added a 2025 third-rounder (projected as pick 81) and a 2025 fourth-rounder (projected as pick 113) in a masterclass trade with the Minnesota Vikings Thursday evening.

Jaguars Reacts Survey: Who was your favorite 2024 draft pick? (Big Cat Country)

Thomas Jr. wasn’t necessarily one of my favorite prospects in the class, or even favorite receivers, but the fit couldn’t be more perfect. Beyond catching bombs from Lawrence, Thomas Jr. will also benefit by learning from locker room leaders and crazy hard workers in Christian Kirk, Gabe Davis and Evan Engram. Though it’d be fun to see Thomas Jr. make an immediate splash, his long-term outlook is set up very well.

3 things to know about Maason Smith (Big Cat Country)

Selected with the 48th pick overall in the draft, Maason Smith will likely be expected to contribute early in his Jaguars career. But delve deeper, and that might not actually be a realistic goal – Smith heads to the NFL with a meager body of work on his resume. The defensive lineman played as a true freshman in the COVID-affected 2021 season, making an immediate impact with 19 tackles, six TFL’s and four sacks in seven games. But an ACL tear just seven plays into his sophomore season saw him sit out 2022 almost entirely.

Report: Free agent CB Jerry Jacobs visiting Jaguars (Jags Wire)

Jacksonville is hosting former Detroit cornerback Jerry Jacobs on a free-agent visit, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston.

Report: Jaguars declining QB Mac Jones’ fifth-year option (Jags Wire)

With a May 2 deadline to activate each one, the Jaguars have exercised the fifth-year contract options for quarterback Trevor Lawrence and running back Travis Etienne and will decline the same option for recently-acquired quarterback Mac Jones, the latter decision reported by Michael DiRocco of ESPN on Tuesday.

O-Zone: Whichever you like (Jaguars.com)

I expect many players from the Jaguars’ 2023 draft class to be improved in 20224, particularly safety Antonio Johnson (Round 5) and right tackle Anton Harrison (Round 1). I expect tight end Brenton Strange to be more involved offensively, and I expect the same from Round 3 running back Tank Bigsby. A couple of players to watch are Round 7 cornerback Christian Braswell and Round 7 guard Cooper Hodges. The team likes those players a lot. I suspect a few of these players will make an impact and a few will fall short – like most teams’ drafts most years.

Early 2025 NFL mock draft: Carson Beck or Shedeur Sanders? Two Michigan prospects in top 5 (The Athletic)

[Denzel] Burke turned down a likely spot in the top 50 of the 2024 class for one more year in Columbus. He can read and drive in the quick game or turn and stay attached to receivers vertically.

National links

Former Broncos CB Chris Harris Jr. retiring after 12 seasons in NFL (NFL.com)

Schefter on Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel: ‘Nothing got close to getting done’ (Niners Nation)

2024 NFL draft: Best picks, top steals in every round (ESPN)

Editor’s pick

Just as tricky as NFL Draft quarterback evaluations — long snappers (Yahoo Sports)

Cheeseman getting cut is not the interesting part here. What’s wild about the transaction is the Commanders traded up in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft to select Cheeseman. The Commanders’ price of a 2022 fifth-round pick, which ultimately became the Jaguars selecting running back Snoop Conner, was not a large price to pay for whiffing on the pick. It’s more about the idea of trading up for one of the most invisible positions in sports.

Must-see media

Daily poll

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