Losing key players fuels the Jaguars' unique offseason strategy, prioritizing draft capital and shrewd roster moves for future gains.
On paper, the Jacksonville Jaguars haven't had the most successful offseason to this point, losing two of their most productive players, Travis Etienne Jr. and Devin Lloyd, in free agency.
However, the Jags have made some sneaky-good moves, while also taking on an unorthodox approach when it comes to retaining big-time talent.
Jaguars general manager James Gladstone made headlines at his most recent press conference, explaining how losing Etienne and Lloyd will reap benefits in the future, highlighting the team's ability to acquire additional draft picks.
“We’re at a stage now where a higher volume of draft capital is what we’re hunting, and those compensatory picks,” Gladstone said.
The Jaguars are in line to receive three compensatory picks -- a fourth-, fifth- and sixth-round selection. The fourth- and fifth-round picks are courtesy of Lloyd and Etienne's departures with the sixth coming from cornerback Greg Newsome II, who signed a one-year, $10 million contract with the New York Giants.
On Monday, ESPN NFL writer Ben Solak released his rankings for each NFL team's free-agency classes, evaluating value, manipulation of the compensatory picks and overall roster construction.
The Jaguars slotted in at No. 9, best in the AFC South, with Solak highlighting Gladstone's approach.
"I loved: The compensatory pick approach," Solak wrote. "Don't be surprised if GM James Gladstone is active at next year's trade deadline in anticipation of the picks the Jaguars will receive."
Jacksonville has taken advantage of mid-season deals over the past few seasons. Last year, the Jags bolstered their receiving unit by trading for Tim Patrick just before the season and Jakobi Meyers in November. The fleecing of Meyers from the Las Vegas Raiders, was one of the best moves of the year.
Meyers was a seamless fit in head coach Liam Coen's offense, accumulating 483 yards and three touchdowns in just nine games with the Jags. He was rewarded with a three-year, $60 million extension, keeping him in Duval through 2028.
Outside of this draft compensation, the Jags filled positional holes with value contracts, signing Dennis Gardeck and Chris Rodriguez Jr. to relatively team-friendly deals.
Gardeck will help offset some of the production lost from Lloyd's departure, stepping back into a scheme where he posted a career-best 48 tackles last season.
Rodriguez, on the other hand, will alleviate some of the pressure on second-year running back Bhayshul Tuten, likely splitting carries and serving as the Jaguars' power back.
Last season, Rodriguez recorded career highs in rushing yards (500) and touchdowns (6), serving as the Commanders' third down and short yardage back. Rodriguez also showed great contact balance, ranking eighth in the league last year in average yards after contact with 3.46.
Jacksonville also re-signed Montaric Brown to a three-year, $33 million deal, keeping him in Duval County through 2028. Brown, a former seventh-round selection, has earned a spot in Jacksonville's defensive backfield after posting back-to-back seasons with 50 or more tackles and an interception.
Although the Jaguars' offseason was not the flashiest, patience and discipline from the front office has allowed them to position themselves for flexibility down the line. Gladstone and the Jacksonville brass have shown the ability to leverage draft compensation and make quality mid-season moves.
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