The Jacksonville Jaguars have had a very successful free agency thus far. They landed the best corner back on the market in A.J. Bouye and inked two veteran leaders to help bring a winning mindset to the locker room in Calais Campbell and Barry Church. Even with all the spending they have done they still have one of the largest amounts of cap room in the NFL at $40 million.
Jacksonville Jaguars Should Make a Run at Jonathan Hankins
Reports surfaced that the Jaguars made the most lucrative offer to Dontari Poe before he decided to sign with the Atlanta Falcons according to Josina Anderson of ESPN. Tom Coughlin has always been about stacking the defensive line with as much depth and good bodies as possible. A surprising name still left on the market is Jonathan Hankins, formerly of the New York Giants. Coughlin should have pretty good knowledge on what type of player Jonathan Hankins is as he was there when he was drafted. The interest in bringing in Poe makes me think a guy like Hankins is in consideration and for good reason.
With the Giants just locking up Jason Pierre-Paul last week, they have a lot of money invested on that defensive line which brings up the possibility Hankins goes elsewhere unless he really wants to stay in New York. Thus far, reports have stated that Hankins is against signing a short-term deal and wants a lucrative multi-year contract which no one seems interested in giving him. If he changes his mind, I think a short term deal where he can go back on the market and get longer term deal a year or two from now would make a lot of sense for both sides. At just age 24, he’d be a nice get for the Jaguars that can give them two very solid bodies at the position alongside Abry Jones.
Hankins is a Good Fit in Jacksonville
The lack of talk around Hankins and the Jaguars is a bit alarming and makes you wonder if he either won’t talk about a short term deal or if Coughlin has any interest at all. He should have a much better knowledge base regarding Hankins than pretty much anyone out there outside of those in the Giants organization. At this point, it’s hard to re-evaluate what Hankins wants to do because he isn’t getting the contract he was hoping for as he’s still on the market in the later stages in free agency. He’d likely have time for at least one more lucrative contract by going the short-term route.
If Hankins changes his tune and starts looking for different destinations to go on the short-term while getting a fairly lucrative deal the Jaguars should be one of the teams bidding for his services. After letting Roy Miller go, the Jaguars need another body at the nose tackle position. Getting a player with the talent Hankins possesses would be a tremendous acquisition this late in free agency.
