1 undrafted free agent who will make Jaguars’ 2024 roster

After a playoff berth seemed certain, the Jacksonville Jaguars ended their season on the outside looking in. The Jaguars were 8-3 at one point, but five losses in their last six games doomed a team that looked to build on their playoff victory in 2022.

The team filled many of its needs this offseason. An offensive line that gave up far too many sacks and failed to open up enough rushing lanes was improved through the addition of center Mitch Morse while re-signing a healthy Matthew Cleveland at guard. In the secondary, the team added Darnell Savage and Ronald Darby to a unit that struggled to stop anybody in the air. The additions of wide receivers Brian Thomas Jr. — a rookie first-round pick out of LSU — and free agents Gabe Davis and Devin Duvernay give star quarterback Trevor Lawrence a high level of talent around him.

With the draft complete and many of the top free agents already signed, the majority of the Jacksonville Jaguars roster is already in place for the 2024 season. Upcoming mini-camp and training camp sessions will determine which players will make the final roster, with the team’s latest undrafted free agents holding the longest odds of survival. Of these UDFAs, Ohio State safety Josh Proctor has the best chance of making the Jacksonville roster in 2024.

1 undrafted free agent who will make the Jaguars’ 2024 roster

The struggles of the Jacksonville secondary in 2023 were apparent to fans and critics alike. The Jaguars finished 26th in the NFL last year in both passing yards allowed and passing touchdowns given up. The front office made modest additions in the offseason to strengthen this unit.

The team drafted Florida State cornerback Jarrian Jones in the third round and made Ole Miss corner Deantre Prince a fifth-round pick. In free agency, the Jaguars brought in free-agent safety Darnell Savage from the Green Bay Packers on a three-year, $21 million deal and former Baltimore Ravens corner Ronald Darby to a two-year, $10 million contract.

Savage was a five-year starter for Green Bay who totaled nine interceptions during his time with the Packers. He will slot into the starting role vacated by Rayshawn Jenkins (now with the Seahawks). Darby is entering his tenth season and should fight for the number-two corner role. Both these veterans will help stabilize a shaky secondary, but this pass defense still needs more depth.

Enter undrafted free agent Josh Proctor. A safety out of Ohio State, Proctor was Honorable Mention All-Big Ten Conference in 2023 and was part of a defense that allowed the fewest passing yards per game last season. He ran a 4.55-second 40-yard dash but is best served as an underneath safety where he does well to cover tight ends in the slot while also contributing in run defense. Perhaps the best skill is the intangibles he brings to the field. The sixth-year senior has good instincts and anticipation, making him a high-floor player who can make an impact right away as a role player on defense or on special teams.

Proctor had a fifth-round projection entering the draft, so for him to drop to the Jaguars as an undrafted free agent is a steal for Jacksonville. Add in the fact that he plays a position of need, and Josh Proctor is the undrafted free agent with the best chance to make the Jaguars’ final roster in 2024.