After a disappointing 2024 season, the Jacksonville Jaguars gave the roster a significant overhaul. They moved on from several prominent veterans and spared no expense in free agency to find their replacements. While most of the players that were given the boot have found a new home, a couple are still looking for a new team ahead of training camp.
Gregg Rosenthal of NFL Media compiled a list of the best remaining free agents still available. Former Jaguars wide receiver Gabe Davis and right guard Brandon Scherff made the cut, proving that Jacksonville was right to move on from them. For the sake of clarity, though, the former was cut after the draft, while the latter hit the open market when the new league year started.
Davis signed a three-year deal worth $39 million with the Jags last year. His average of 16.7 yards per reception with the Buffalo Bills made him an intriguing addition. However, he had an underwhelming 2024 campaign, tallying a measly 20 receptions for 239 yards with two touchdowns. The former UCF Knight never truly recovered from a knee injury he suffered in the 2023 playoffs, and the past regime did a poor job of vetting him in retrospect.
On the other hand, Scherff spent three seasons in Jacksonville after playing with the Washington Commanders for seven years. All things considered, the former Iowa Hawkeye fared well, but his play didn't match his hefty price tag of $16.5 million per year. Once he became a free agent, the team's brass didn't make an effort to bring him back and instead replaced him with Patrick Mekari.
It's worth noting that even though Scherff is no longer in Jacksonville, he'll account for $13.8 million in space next season because he restructured his contract in 2024 and pushed some of his salary into this year. Meanwhile, Davis will have dead money hits of $5.7 million and $14.6 million in 2025 and 2026, respectively.
Moving on from Brandon Scherff and Gabe Davis raised the Jaguars' floor
Gabe Davis became expendable after the Jacksonville Jaguars drafted Travis Hunter, but even if they had picked someone else, his fate would still have been sealed. After all, they signed Dyami Brown in free agency, and he's expected to take on a featured role right off the bat. Heck, Parker Washington might've had more playing time than him.
The fact that Davis is having trouble latching onto a team proves the Jags made the right call. On the other hand, Scherff could still have a couple of years left, but the fact that he's 33 might be working against him. It may not be until a club suffers an injury at guard that he'll get a shot.
Either way, way, the Jaguars beefed up the offensive line and made upgrades to the wide receiver corps, leaving no room for Brandon Scherff and Gabe Davis.
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