The early days of NFL free agency always feel like organized chaos. The Jacksonville Jaguars scan the landscape as names are removed from the pool of available options quickly. Contracts can balloon into the tens of millions. It didn't take long for the league's 32 teams to collectively hand out billions of dollars in guaranteed money.

As a result, media members and fan bases will spend weeks debating which teams are most improved. Eventually, though, the market settles and organizations take a breather.

That seems to be where teams are now in terms of having their temperature taken.

The pause has allowed the franchise to evaluate where it stands after an expected less-aggressive start to the new league year.

To be fair, the foundation is far from shaky. General manager James Gladstone enjoyed an impressive first season guiding the organization in his new role. Jacksonville won 13 games and entered the postseason as the AFC South's champion, even if the year ended with disappointment following a home loss in the Wild-Card Round.

Still, the progress seen was undeniable.

Trevor Lawrence took the next step in his development as a franchise quarterback. 

Two players earned elite recognition. Long snapper Ross Matiscik was named First-Team All-Pro, while the now-departed linebacker Devin Lloyd landed on the Second-Team All-Pro list.

Both were selected to represent the AFC at the Pro Bowl, providing Jacksonville with a pair of respected contributors at opposite ends of the roster. That success doesn’t eliminate the need for improvement.

Gladstone has already hinted that he’s willing to explore “unorthodox” methods to acquire additional draft capital.

The Jaguars may still be positioning themselves to reshape parts of the roster. Financial limitations also played a role in Jacksonville’s measured approach to free agency. Cap constraints prevented the team from diving headfirst into the early spending spree, which brings up team needs.

The front office focused on smaller, less-expensive adjustments. They also restructured contracts and were in the business of making targeted additions. Among those moves was the signing of running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. following the departure of Travis Etienne.

Jacksonville re-signed cornerback Montaric Brown. Veteran linebacker Dennis Gardeck also returns. Tight end Quintin Morris also remains in place to provide blocking support in the offense run by head coach Liam Coen.

Even with those decisions, several roster priorities remain. They seemingly are the same as they were the past few times this conversation dominated the aiwaves.

Edge rusher stands out as the most obvious need with defensive tackle running a close second. Some may invert the two, and that wouldn't lead to much of an argument.

Jacksonville already features elite talent with Josh Hines-Allen and former No. 1 overall pick Travon Walker. Depth is, however, limited and needed. 

Last season, injuries forced the Jaguars to lean heavily on Hines-Allen to generate pressure. Adding another pass rusher could unlock the defense’s next level.

The interior of the defensive line also deserves attention where veterans Arik Armstead and DaVon Hamilton form a strong interior presence.

While both are reliable anchors against the run, rotational depth could help Jacksonville maintain its physical identity late in games. Fresh legs along the interior are critical for keeping a defensive front disruptive across a full season.

Linebacker is certainly a need as everyone continues to monitor the second level of the defense. With Lloyd no longer in the picture, Jacksonville needs a new long-term partner to pair with Foyesade Oluokun.

Ventrell Miller could earn the job internally, but the Jaguars could just as easily look to the draft or second-wave free-agent additions to solidify the position. It will be interesting to see what happens as the Jags continue to move through the offseason.

Tight end depth must also be considered. Brenton Strange has quietly become one of the more underrated tight ends in the league.

The aforementioned Morris offers value as a blocker and potential TE2, but beyond that, the depth chart feels thin, even though there are two other tight ends on the roster (Hunter Long and Patrick Herbert).

Beyond specific positions, the Jaguars simply need more depth across the roster. Adding competition at cornerback, safety, and along the offensive line could prevent injuries and dramatically shift the team’s outlook as another regular season nears.

The good news for Jacksonville is that its core already appears playoff-caliber. The next step isn’t rebuilding. The next step is reinforcing. If Gladstone finds the right mix of draft picks, adding developmental players and strategic additions could ensure the Jaguars an opportunity to remain atop their division for a while. 

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