JACKSONVILLE – The Jaguars retained some significant depth Thursday.
And with the free agency period rapidly approaching, the moves the Jaguars made on Thursday were mostly toward staying deep on the offensive line.
Cameron Bradfield, who will be a fourth-year veteran next season, re-signed with the Jaguars Thursday, the same day tight end Clay Harbor and offensive tackle Sam Young also re-signed with the team.
Bradfield (6-feet-4, 308 pounds), who originally signed with the Jaguars as an undrafted free agent from Grand Valley State shortly after the 2011 NFL Draft, has played in 38 games in three seasons with the team, starting 25. He started 11 games at left tackle in the wake of the team trading Eugene Monroe and then-rookie Luke Joeckel sustaining a season-ending ankle injury.
"I'm very excited," Bradfield said. "I love it here and I love playing for (offensive line) coach (George) Yarno and (Head) Coach Gus (Bradley). I love the city and love the fans, so I'm very excited about being here."
The league's free-agency period is scheduled to begin Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. ET. Teams can begin negotiating with free agents from other teams Saturday. Bradfield was scheduled to become a restricted free agent, while Harbor and Young were scheduled to become unrestricted free agents.
"It's a great to have a home, particularly here in Jacksonville," Young said. "Being from Florida, it's great to be able to be close to home."
Bradfield also started two games in 2011 and 12 games in 2012, and figures to compete for the team's "swing tackle" position, backing up the left and right sides.
"I'm going in fighting and scratching for whatever I can get," Bradfield said. "I came in an undrafted guy, so it's all I know. I'll come in in training camp and OTAs and work as hard as I can.
"It's a great day. I'm glad I get to stay where I started."
Bradfield originally was signed during the tenure of former General Manager Gene Smith and former Head Coach Jack Del Rio. He said it matters to him that a new leadership group headed by General Manager David Caldwell and Bradley want him involved.
"It's a different deal playing for multiple head coaches, so it's good to feel wanted by the new regime," he said. "I feel like I've proven I can play in this league, but you don't want to rest on your laurels, so you try to get better every day."
Harbor (6-3, 255), originally a fourth-round selection in the 2010 NFL Draft by Philadelphia, likely will play a significant role as the team's "move" tight end. Marcedes Lewis, a 2010 Pro Bowl selection, is expected to remain the starting tight end.
Harbor sustained a fractured ankle in the second quarter of the team's season-ending loss to Indianapolis, but caught 24 passes for 292 yards and two touchdowns and is expected to be ready for training camp.
Young (6-8, 318), originally a sixth-round selection by Dallas in the 2010 NFL Draft, joined the Jaguars off waivers from the Buffalo Bills October 8. He was active for 11 games with the Jaguars, having been active for four in Buffalo. He played in two games for the Jaguars, but – like Bradfield – has a chance to compete for the team's swing tackle position.
"Every year's a new year," Young said. "We haven't hit free agency or the draft, so everything can be up in the air, but from my point of view, I'm just looking for an opportunity. I just want to take advantage of it. I want to help team anyway I can and I'm looking forward to proving it.
"Everyone's so genuine here. There's a real sense of caring for people and keeping to your word. That's not always the case, and that's a great thing about Jacksonville."
Joeckel, the No. 2 overall selection in the 2013 NFL Draft from Texas A&M, is expected to start at left tackle, with Austin Pasztor – who will be a second-year veteran next season – likely to start on the right side. Pasztor started at right tackle the final 12 games last season.
