5 Free Agents With Overlooked Connections to Jaguars Staff

The Jaguars aren't seemingly in the market to pay for a running back. And if they were to pay a running back, it seems like they would just pay Travis Etienne after the stellar season he had for the Jaguars last year. With that said, they do have some connections to Super Bowl LX MVP Kenneth Walker.

Jaguars running backs coach Chad Morton was Walker's position coach during his first two seasons in Seattle, while Shane Waldron was in Seattle as offensive coordinator at the same time. It would be surprising, but the Jaguars know what he can do.

WR Jalen Nailor

The Jaguars don't have a need for a starting receiver, but they could be looking to add to their overall depth after Dyami Brown and Tim Patrick join the free agent market. Jacksonville has its core receivers with Jakobi Meyers, Brian Thomas Jr., and Parker Washington, but depth is needed since Travis Hunter will continue to play both ways.

Nailor, who was a sixth-round pick in 2022, was with the Vikings for three years when Grant Udinski was a key staff members. He is unlikely to get a big pay-day considering he never put up huge numbers, but Udinski did see him have his best year when he was there in 2024.

EDGE Jaelan Phillips

The Jaguars likely don't make sense for Jalen Phillips since he might be one of the best names on the entire marker, but you also can't ignore the connection. The Miami Dolphins had both Anthony Campanile and Matheiu Araujo on their staff during Phillips' run with the Dolphins, so each should know exactly what he brings.

With that said, Phillips is likely off the Jaguars' radar unless they do not deem Travon Walker worthy of the same deal. Walker, however, is expected to eventually receive a deal from the Jaguars to keep him in Jacksonville long-term.

EDGE Malcolm Koonce

The Jaguars could be in the market to add to their pass-rush this offseason. Jaguars head coach Liam Coen has already pointed to it as one area of improvement, and the Jaguars certainly have some depth questions behind their star defensive end duo of Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen. With that said, the Jaguars don't figure to be players for a top name for that same reason.

One name who could help them find a place in the middle is Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce. Jaguars defensive line coach Matt Edwards was the Raiders' pass-rush specialist during Koonce's eight-sack season in 2023, his top season in the pros. Edwards has seen him at his best and he could be a buy-low addition in March.

CB Jack Jones

Jack Jones had a rebound in Miami compared to how he performed for the Las Vegas Raiders the year before, but he is a player the Jaguars are better off avoiding. He has been a big-play cornerback at times and is capable of putting the ball in the end-zone every time he gets his hands on it on defense, but he has also been an extremely volatile player.

With that said, he did spend the 2025 season with Jaguars defensive pass game coordinator Mathieu Araujo, who was the Dolphins' cornerbacks coach over the last two seasons. The Jaguars do have a cornerback need, though, so don't be surprised to see his name associated.

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