When the NFL's free agency period begins in mid-March, which outside free agent addition should the Jacksonville Jaguars be looking to make?
Bradley Locker of Pro Football Focus recently answered that question for each NFL team. When it comes to the Jaguars, Locker believes that GM James Gladstone should pursue safety Jalen Thompson.
"He brings positional versatility by logging 1,160 or more snaps at free safety, in the box or in the slot," Locker wrote. "Further, Thompson would also fit defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile’s zone-oriented scheme well, as his 73.5 PFF coverage grade on Cover 3, Quarters or Cover 6 is the ninth-best among qualified safeties since 2024."
Thompson has been in the NFL since 2019. As Locker mentions, Thompson has bounced around the Arizona secondary throughout his career.
While his zone coverage abilities align well with Campanile's scheme, so does his versatility in a Jaguars' defense that is very good at throwing a variety of looks at opponents.
Spotrac is projecting that Thompson signs a two-year deal in free agency worth $18.95 million.
Certainly, there are a lot of reasons why this addition would make sense for the Jaguars. But if you ask me, the Jaguars should prioritize adding to the defensive front over safety.
Although Andrew Wingard is going to be a free agent, still under contract are Eric Murray, Antonio Johnson, Caleb Ransaw, and Rayuan Lane, among others.
The defensive line, meanwhile, needs more depth at both tackle and end, along with more pass rush juice, specifically at defensive tackle. Cornerback is another positional need that is more pressing than safety.
This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: Jaguars 'should pursue' free agent safety, says NFL analyst
