The Jacksonville Jaguars have a trio of players set to be among the best in the open market when free agency begins in March.
NFL free agency is just over a month away. By now, we have an idea of who the top available players will be in March. Many will make it to the open market, while some will see their teams utilize the franchise or transition tag in an effort to keep them from becoming a free agent.
Among some of those top lookers are several high-profile Jacksonville Jaguars players. In fact, three Jaguars made ESPN's Matt Bownen's top-50 free-agents list, including two in the top 20.
Bowen's highest-ranked player, at No. 18, is running back Travis Etienne. Etienne came into the league with his college teammate, quarterback Trevor Lawrence, in 2021 as then-head coach Urban Meyer took both players in the first round -- Lawrence at No. 1, and Etienne at No. 25.
After losing his rookie season to a preseason Lisfranc injury, Etienne, who will turn 27 this year, has played in all but two games in four seasons since. He has recorded over 1,000 rushing yards in three seasons. Etienne has also posted at least 35 catches and 250 receiving yards over four NFL seasons.
Bowen touched on Etienne being more explosive in 2025. Etienne was tied for 12th in the NFL with 26 rushes of at least 10 or more yards and had 116 total yards in the playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills.
Spotrac projects Etienne's contract to average about $6.8 million per year over two years.
Right behind Etienne, at No. 19, is linebacker Devin Lloyd. The 26-year-old had one of the best seasons in his four-year career in 2025. The 27th pick of the 2022 draft, Lloyd recorded 81 tackles, five interceptions (including a 99-yard pick-six in Week 6 against the Kansas City Chiefs), seven pass defenses, one fumble recovery and 1.5 sacks.
Lloyd was named to an All Pro (second team) for the first time in his career, and was recently raised to the Pro Bowl roster.
Bowen mentions Lloyd's on-the-ball production, namely the five interceptions, and calls him a "solid starter who flashed high-level ability this season."
Lloyd is expected to land a three-year contract worth around $20 million per year as a free agent.
The third player making Bowen's list is cornerback Greg Newsome II, at No. 34. Newsome will be 26 years old entering the 2026 season.
Newsome was acquired by the Jaguars in an October trade with the Cleveland Browns that sent cornerback Tyson Campbell to Ohio.
Newsome had an up-and-down run with the Jaguars. In 12 regular-season games, Newsome recorded 29 tackles, six passes defended and one interception. He had three tackles in the playoff loss against the Bills.
For his career, Newsome has four interceptions but does have 43 passes defended, including 14 during the 2023 season.
Bowen says Newsome has the tools to match in man coverage but that he is best in zone schemes that allow him to play with backfield vision.
Spotrac projects a three-year contract worth about $9 million per year for Newsome.
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