Underwhelming Performance: Jaguars’ Free Agent Class Fails to Deliver
The Jacksonville Jaguars’ 2024 free agent class has been a major letdown so far this season. Despite shelling out a whopping $75.5 million in fully guaranteed money, the team has yet to see a significant return on their investment.
Center Mitch Morse: The Lone Bright Spot
One notable exception is center Mitch Morse, who has been a significant upgrade over Luke Fortner. Morse’s impressive 96.2% pass block win rate and 66.7% run block win rate have made him a valuable asset to the team.
The Rest of the Class: A Forgettable Performance
Unfortunately, the rest of the free agent class has failed to impress. Receiver Gabe Davis, safety/nickel back Darnell Savage, cornerback Ronald Darby, returner Devin Duvernay, and defensive lineman Arik Armstead have all struggled to make an impact.
Davis’ Drops and Disappointments
Gabe Davis’ performance has been marred by dropped touchdown passes, including two against the Chicago Bears. Despite catching his first two touchdown passes of the season, Davis’ inconsistency has been a major concern.
Darby’s Defensive Struggles
Ronald Darby’s struggles have been evident, with a dismal 76.5% completion percentage among cornerbacks with at least 100 coverage snaps. He has allowed 26 catches for 393 yards and three touchdowns, making him one of the worst cornerbacks in the league.
Armstead’s Underwhelming Performance
Arik Armstead’s three-year, $43.5 million contract has yet to yield the desired results. With only eight QB pressures and a 5.8% pressure rate, Armstead has failed to make a significant impact on the defensive line.
Duvernay’s Injury Woes
Devin Duvernay’s season has been cut short due to a hamstring injury, which has limited his playing time. Despite making an impact in one game with a 53-yard punt return, Duvernay’s overall performance has been disappointing.
Savage’s Inconsistency
Darnell Savage’s performance has been inconsistent, with only five tackles and two pass breakups in three games. His quad injury has kept him sidelined for three games, further limiting his impact.
Coach Pederson’s Call to Action
Coach Doug Pederson acknowledges that the team needs to do better, stating, “We all need to do better. I’m not here to point the finger at anybody but myself really and just make sure that we’re getting the most out of everyone.”
With the Jaguars’ season on the line, it’s imperative that these free agents step up their game and deliver the performance the team needs to salvage their 1-5 season.
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