Jaguars roundtable: How has the team done in free agency and where do they go from here?

The Jaguars are at an inflection point of sorts as the NFL Draft quickly approaches. Though all teams want to build through the draft, the Jaguars were - in a way - forced to do so due to their salary cap situation before and at the start of the new league year.

Still, the Jaguars' brass has stayed true to their word, wanting to build from within due to the crop of players they have at their disposal. In doing so, however, the team will have to nail the upcoming draft and likely beyond if they want to continue the success they found last year.

Still, there's plenty of reason to expect the team to continue toward an upward trajectory. So long as head coach Doug Pederson is at the helm and quarterback Trevor Lawrence is behind center, there's going to be hope.

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Let's quickly recap what the team has done so far:

Thus far in free agency, the Jaguars have signed five players via outside free agency as of Wednesday, April 5, including offensive linemen Josh Wells and Chandler Brewer, defensive linemen Henry Mondeaux and Michael Dogbe and running back D'Ernest Johnson.

All five players signed inexpensive deals, barely touching the team's salary cap space, which currently sits at $15,144,522, according to OverTheCap.com. That figure does not include Wells and Brewer, however, who are also expected to sign team-friendly contracts.

The Jaguars retained the services of 11 of their players that were slated to hit free agency, including quarterback C.J. Beathard, tight end Evan Engram (franchise tag), running back JaMycal Hasty, cornerbacks Tevaughn Campbell and Tre Herndon, safety Andrew Wingard, defensive lineman Adam Gotsis and all four of their exclusive rights free agents - kicker Riley Patterson, offensive lineman Blake Hance and Cole Van Lanen and receiver Tim Jones.

The Jaguars lost four players, including receiver Marvin Jones, defensive lineman Arden Key, tackle Jawaan Taylor and tight end Chris Manhertz.

With the table now laid, here's how those with the Times-Union that cover the team on a regular basis, including Demetrius Harvey, Juston Lewis, Garry Smits and Gene Frenette feel about what the team has done thus far and what they have to do moving forward.

How have the Jaguars done in free agency thus far? Who was their biggest addition and loss?

Demetrius Harvey: The Jaguars were forced into the position they are in today. The team isn't quite in the shape you'd like to be at the point where free agency isn't necessary, but the hope (by the team) is that the core of players they have now, coupled with the further development of Trevor Lawrence, will be enough to overcome other shortcomings.

With that said, the Jaguars have done a solid job in free agency with the resources they had. The team had to restructure several contracts in order to get under the salary cap and couldn't shell out money like fans typically want. Still, their best move was signing former Browns running back D'Ernest Johnson, who will likely be the team's second back by the time the season is over.

The team's biggest loss was easily Jawaan Taylor, in my opinion. Taylor is an ascending tackle in the league and finally played for a modern NFL system. The Chiefs are getting a really good player and the Jaguars are taking a gamble.

Gene Frenette: The Jaguars did exactly what they said they'd do in the offseason back in January, spending less and trying to re-sign their own players. It's obvious right tackle Jawaan Taylor was their biggest loss, but it was best to let him go since the Kansas City Chiefs surprisingly gave him a four-year $80 million contract.

I liked signing RB D'Ernest Johnson, who is a significant upgrade from Snoop Conner with his special-teams value and starting NFL experience. Bringing back Josh Wells for O-line depth was a solid pickup.

Juston Lewis: I think the Jaguars have done about as expected during this free-agency period. Their biggest addition would be veteran running back D'Ernest Johnson who adds depth behind Travis Etienne.

Their biggest loss, in my opinion, is Arden Key. I know he’s viewed as an “energy” player and his stats weren’t gaudy. But it’s hard to replace the liveliness he brought to the team daily. His ability to play multiple roles on the defensive line was another blow that’ll need to be replaced.

Garry Smits: Obviously right offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor is the biggest loss, coming off his best season as a pro. Good luck moving to the left side to protect Patrick Mahomes' blind side at Kansas City, which may be harder than anyone thinks.

Wide receiver Marvin Jones and defensive end Arden Key were key veterans down the stretch of the Jaguars' playoff run and may leave voids in the locker room but their skills can be replaced through the draft or free agency. Their locker-room presence is another matter but this has turned into a team of good dudes and their leadership void can just as easily be filled.

Cornerback Shaquill Griffin, another one of the good guys, wasn't around much last season and he, too, can be replaced.

The biggest free-agent acquisition so far seems to be offensive tackle Josh Wells. He was a turnstile in his earlier stint with the Jags but the Bucs must have seen something in him to keep him around and he's been in the league long enough.

The Jaguars allowed right tackle Jawaan Taylor to walk in free agency, is Walker Little the best option to replace him?

Harvey: The team's riskiest move. Taylor would have provided the team with one fewer void to fill. Still, that is expected to be filled by Walker Little, unless the team goes in a different direction via the draft.

Truthfully, it's impossible to say that Little is the best option for the team to roll with, but he's the only one they have. Little has performed very well in the past at left tackle, filling in for an injured Cam Robinson two years in a row. It's a risk, but I think the Jaguars earned a bit of rope in that area after last year.

Frenette: For now, Walker Little is the only viable option, whether the Jaguars elect to play him at right tackle or the less likely route of moving him to his more natural left tackle and sliding Cam Robinson to the other side. It's doubtful Robinson would be happy if that happened.

The Jaguars should probably grab a tackle no later than the second day of the draft because it's too important a position not to have an insurance policy.

Lewis: I think Walker Little is the natural replacement for Jawaan Taylor, but it’s clear with some of the recent free-agent moves that the Jaguars are looking to add depth at their tackle spot.

Cam Robinson is coming off of a season-ending injury and Little is inexperienced as a starter.

I wouldn’t be surprised if the Jaguars used an early-round selection to continue adding to their depth along the line.

Smits: I don't think anyone within the organization has any problem with Little stepping in for Taylor. He's met every challenge they've thrown at him at either left or right tackle, and done a commendable job. Wells may have enough left in the tank to be a solid backup.

Did Baalke and Pederson make the right decision to bring back key players rather than going outside of their team?

Harvey: The Jaguars brought back several of their own players. Had they let them walk and cut a couple of veterans, they could have brought in some new blood to the team. That strategy is incredibly risky, so it makes sense the Jaguares opted to just bring back players they know and believe they can depend on.

I think the Jaguars' strategy was the right one, though they could have addressed other needs.

Bringing in an established slot corner such as former Buccaneers CB Sean Murphy-Bunting - who signed with Tennessee on a one-year $3.5 million contract - would have done the team well. Still, keeping guys like Engram was incredibly important, and something the team had to do.

Keeping the salary cap in good shape moving forward was also why the team didn't target high-priced free agents. It all comes down to the draft.

Frenette: The Jaguars were limited financially in what they could this offseason. Re-signing Andrew Wingard was a no-brainer since he's a core special-teamer and a solid backup safety.

Baalke and Pederson know they have future contract extensions with Trevor Lawrence and Calvin Ridley, so better to bring back players you know are good for the locker room culture and are dependable when your shopping options are limited.

Lewis: I think they made the right move. Last year they laid a foundation. This year they’re looking on build on that foundation and it’s smart to bring back players who are ready to achieve that goal.

Smits: Keeping tight end Evan Engram was crucial. I might have even gone a bit harder to keep Taylor but what's done is done. Re-signing safety Andrew Wingard insures a veteran in the secondary and a player willing to play any special-teams role.

Keeping defensive linemen Roy Robertson-Harris and Adam Gotsis is fine but I would have prioritized keeping Dawuane Smoot ‐ and they still may be able to keep him.

What is one position group or area the Jaguars need to address in the draft?

Harvey: Pass rush. Pederson has already stated that it's vital the team addresses that area via the draft or otherwise. The Jaguars lost versatile defensive lineman, Arden Key - to a rival - and they have not yet retained Dawuane Smoot. That is 87 total pressures lost between the two of them and 9.5 sacks.

While that might not seem like a lot, keep in mind the Jaguars had 35 total sacks in 2022 and 386 total pressures, according to Pro Football Focus. So, Key and Smoot accounted for 22.5 percent of the total pressures and 27 percent of the total sacks. Not ideal.

Frenette: Unquestionably, the pass rush needs a serious upgrade. Most of the best options still available in free agency are older veterans that'll cost more. Picking at No. 24, it's no guarantee the Jaguars will get a pass-rusher with better value over other needs positions like cornerback, offensive tackle or even tight end.

Lewis: I think the biggest issue is at cornerback. Not just a nickel, either. The Jaguars need a versatile defensive back who can fill multiple roles in the secondary if need be.

They need to draft a player who will be able to play across from Tyson Campbell for years to come.

The glaring issue is obviously at nickel. But as the Jaguars found out last year when Shaq Griffin got hurt, it’s always good to have versatile defensive backs who can step in.

Smits: I'd hate to be tempted at No. 24 if Notre Dame tight end Michael Mayer is available. But the team picked up an offensive weapon with the trade for wide receiver Calvin Ridley and if Mayer is gone, I'd go the interior on either the offensive or defensive line.

If Florida guard O'Cyrus Torrence is around, jump on him. Then go defensive line in the second round, maybe an edge rusher and then fill needs with the rest of the picks. The Jags won't have the No. 1 overall pick for the first time in three years and there's no need to make a splash - just make a bunch of smart moves.

The Jaguars should prioritize value at a need position and not necessarily force the pass-rusher with their first-round pick.

Demetrius Harvey is the Jacksonville Jaguars reporter for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on Twitter at @Demetrius82.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jaguars roundtable: How have they done in free agency as draft nears?