The compensatory free agent window has closed following the 2026 NFL draft. This very much could be of interest to James Gladstone and the Jacksonville Jaguars.
It was a quiet free agency period for the Jaguars this offseason. The only outside addition made was running back Chris Rodriguez, who has a non-tendered restricted free agent with Washington, didn’t count against the compensatory pick formula.
The 2027 draft capital that the Jaguars are projected to receive with Devin Lloyd, Travis Etienne, and others departing in free agency played an important factor in the Jaguars’ free agency approach this offseason.
“We’re at a stage now where a higher volume of draft capital is what we’re hunting up, and those compensatory picks,” Gladstone said earlier this offseason, “When you think about high-priced free agents of ours who ended up signing elsewhere, well-deserved contracts. … They did their part to put themselves in sound positions to earn that. Excited for all those guys. In return, by not signing any outside free agents, we recoup 2027 draft capital.”
Gladstone continued, “”On the surface, you would think, ‘okay, you’re going to make picks in 2027,’ whereas in reality, those draft picks, having more of them actually allows you the luxury of remaining in the hunt at different intervals throughout the entire calendar year for acquiring players.”
However, now past the NFL draft, free agent signings won’t impact the compensatory draft pick formula, perhaps making the Jaguars more willing to make a veteran addition.
We saw Gladstone make a few signings post-draft veteran additions last offseason, including Emmanuel Ogbah and Dennis Gardeck. The Jaguars do not have an abundance of salary cap space, with only $11.07 million in operating room, but it’s not as if any signings at this stage of the offseason will break the bank either.
So, following the NFL draft, who are the best available free agents that could be of interest to the Jaguars?
DE Jadeveon Clowney
The Jaguars made two additions in the draft, but this is still a very young and inexperienced group behind Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker. A veteran presence could be valuable. Clowney has recorded at least 40 pressures in each of the last two seasons.
DE Cameron Jordan
Jordan recorded 36 pressures and 10.5 sacks this past season, which was the 13th-most in the NFL. He was also one of PFF’s higher graded run defenders at his position group.
DT DJ Reader
Adding Albert Regis to the mix helps bolster this unit, but a veteran addition to further elevate the depth of this rotation could raise the floor of this position group. Reader’s most productive years as a pass rusher came from 2021 to 2023, when he generated 30-plus pressures each year. In 2025, Reader recorded 20 pressures. Against the run is where Reader has often made an impact.
CB Rasul Douglas
An addition isn’t a must here, but Douglas’ experience off the bench providing depth could be valuable. With Miami, Douglas had a bounce-back season in 2025, allowing a completion rate of just 55% when targeted at 10.0 yards per reception with two interceptions and nine pass breakups.
This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: 4 veteran free agent options for Jaguars after 2026 NFL draft
Reporting by Paul Bretl, Jaguars Wire / Jaguars Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
