With the offseason underway, the Jaguars mailbag features questions about the cornerback position, draft trades and more.
Ryan O'Bleness asks: The cornerback position is in need of depth pieces, especially if Aaron Colvin goes elsewhere. Which free agents should the Jaguars target, and who are potential middle round gems in the draft?
Mike Kaye: I don't think it's a foregone conclusion that Aaron Colvin will walk. That said, if he reaches free agency, it's hard to see a scenario where he doesn't receive a better offer for playing time and money elsewhere.
If Colvin were to leave, the Jaguars would be pretty thin at cornerback from a depth perspective. The team likes Tyler Patmon and Jalen Myrick, but should seek outside reinforcements with Colvin potentially hitting the road.
The issue with targeting a veteran in free agency is that if you're going to pay that guy, why not pay the player who is familiar with and proven within your defense? The only way that makes sense is if Colvin decides he wants to leave to be a full-time player.
If that's the case, Buffalo's E.J. Gaines and Los Angeles' Nickell Robey-Coleman make sense as immediate replacements. Kyle Fuller would be an interesting addition as the main outside backup if they went that route.
The draft is where I would target new cornerbacks. I am a big fan of Louisville's Jaire Alexander, who would probably be receiving Top 15 talk if he didn't suffer knee and hand injuries this past season. That said, I'm not sure the Jaguars target a cornerback in the first round, though I think he will be there at No. 29.
Some mid-round guys that I think would fit are Stanford's Quenton Meeks and Florida State's Tarvarus McFadden.
Florida's Duke Dawson is a clear fit but I think he goes in the second round and I'm not sure that's where the Jaguars would want to target a nickel corner.
@TynanHolt asks: How do you feel about the Jaguars spending more and going after a TE such as Jimmy Graham or Tyler Eifert?
MK: I feel like they can get similar production out of under-the-radar tight ends like Trey Burton and Luke Willson. I also think we don't have a fair indication of how the tight end position should be ideally used in Nathaniel Hackett's offense.
Eifert has never played a full season and the only reason why he will hit free agency is that he has missed 41 regular season games over the last four seasons. If he wants to sign a one-year "prove it" deal, that would make sense for the Jaguars, but I wouldn't invest heavily in a player who has a history of serious back, ankle and knee injuries.
Graham is interesting, as he was completely shut out against the Jaguars this past season. He is an intriguing name but I'm not sure he is worth the money he will command. He is a bit more proven than Julius Thomas was when the Jaguars signed him in 2015. However, much like Thomas, Graham worked with two of the best quarterbacks in the league before hitting free agency.
I also think - as with any move in free agency - you need to weigh the opportunities in the draft. There are several solid options when it comes to tight end draft prospects.
Would it be worth taking the risk of not signing a free agent and gambling on a young player with high upside? At that position, given the Jaguars' ability to move the ball at times without it this past season, I think so.
@FunkMasterBunk: In any scenario do you see that Jaguars moving up in the draft?
MK: I think a small jump is always possible. If there is a player at a position that you covet at No. 19 and you feel like you have enough depth to trade a third and fifth round pick or whatever is asked for, you make the move.
The Jaguars are in a good spot to move up or down, given that their three-down starters are mostly secured with contracts. Depth is extremely important but the Jaguars may believe they can get by without adding an extra defensive lineman or safety.
The goal in the draft is to fill major holes for the present and the future. If the Jaguars feel they need to grab a quarterback or offensive tackle or tight end in the first round and are concerned about "their guy" getting snagged before their turn, they should take the necessary steps to get a deal done.
Follow Mike Kaye on Twitter and ask him your mailbag questions: @Mike_E_Kaye.