JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
Al from Orange Park, FL
I have heard it said that players would rather go undrafted than be picked in the seventh round, because they have more control over where they end up. What (generally) is the difference in compensation?
There absolutely are times late in each NFL Draft when it's better for a player to go undrafted than to be a late-round selection. This is particularly true for the better undrafted free agents, because as a so-called "priority free agent" the player has at least a sliver of control over where he signs. These free agents for a few hours immediately following the draft are strikingly high demand, meaning they sometimes can benefit not only in terms of fit but also in terms of compensation. The bidding-war nature of the hours immediately after the draft can result in these free agents receiving surprisingly high signing bonuses – and in recent seasons, many of the best of the priority free agents have had a surprising level of guaranteed money written into contracts. The difference varies from player to player, but multiple top players in 2025 received $300,000 in guaranteed money with signing bonuses of $40,000 to $50,000. There also was an outlier in 2025, with the Cleveland Browns signing undrafted free agent wide receiver Isaiah Bond to a fully guaranteed contract worth $3.018 million with a $53,000 signing bonus. Seventh-round rookies typically sign four-year contracts worth about $4 million with signing bonuses around $100,000. Ish. Yes, the dream is to be drafted. But the reality is there will be some moments late next Saturday where the reality of going undrafted is better than the dream.
P Funk from Murray Hill
What are the traits and responsibilities of an off-ball linebacker? Same thing for three technique defensive tackle. I hear analysts describe players as these, but I am not 100 percent sure what they mean. They also say drafting an off-ball linebacker high or paying them big in free agency is risky. Why do you think that is?
Prototypical off-ball linebacker is more about pursuit, coverage, instincts and tackling ability than prototype "edge" defender, which is more about rushing the passer and disrupting the offensive backfield. An off-ball linebacker can have a great season and produce little pass rush. That's not as true of an edge defender. Prototypical three-technique defensive tackle is more about rushing the passer and penetrating into the backfield than prototypical nose tackle, which is more about holding the point of attack and stopping the run. A nose tackle can have a great season and produce little pass rush. That's not as true of a three-technique tackle. I don't know if drafting off-ball linebacker early or paying them is risky, necessarily. It depends on what the team expects from the player. But a strong argument can be made that the positional value of off-ball linebacker is such that it's not always a great idea to pay them franchise-defining money in free agency or select them in the Top 5 or 10 of the NFL Draft.
Michael from Orange Park, FL
Is it football season yet?
It's always coaching in the NFL. It's also always football season in the NFL.
Frank from Jacksonville
The question about market size has me wondering, what would it take to include an area like Orlando into our market? Are they considered part of Tampa Bay's market? Can this be changed? Can the people of Orlando vote on it?
Orlando can't be in the Jaguars' television market because a team's home market is a 75-mile radius from the home city. Orlando is therefore also not in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' market. It can only be changed by the NFL changing the rule and the people of Orlando cannot vote on it.
Woody from Dunlap
KOAF: Like many Jaguar fans, when the team drafted both Maason Smith and Jordan Jefferson (defensive line teammates and friends on a powerful Louisiana State team and both members of the vaunted "Freaks List"), I envisioned we would have an impressive defensive interior for years to come. Unfortunately, this scenario has not come to fruition. Is there any evidence to suggest that the Jaguars waiving of Jordan in August of 2025 adversely impacted Maason's overall desire to remain with the Jaguars?
None whatsoever. The Jaguars traded defensive tackle Maason Smith, a second-round selection by the Jaguars in the 2024 NFL Draft, to the Atlanta Falcons for defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro – a '24 second-round selection by the Falcons. The issue with Smith is that he didn't play as well as the Jaguars expected when they selected him in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft and had nothing to do with friendship. Remember: This is the NFL, not a Real Housewives spinoff.
Charles from Riverside
Hello, John. A recent article by Demetrius Harvey from the Florida Times-Union ranked the Top 5 running backs that would be a good match for the Jags. In his rankings he leaned heavily on, and referenced, AEOPS (Adjusted Efficiency Over Pro-S) – a 2026 NFL draft analytics metric used to evaluate running back efficiency beyond what the offensive line provides. That's a new one for me. But it does correlate to my previous question you answered on yards generated after a play, and how Coen has stressed how important that is to him in evaluating a running back. Not a whole lot I could find on this AEOPS, pretty much just kept referencing "efficiency"? Is this new?
Apparently, though I don't expect the Jaguars to address running back early in the 2026 NFL Draft whatever the metrics or rankings involved.
Al from Orange Park, FL
To Dwayne. You were not the first. Many were thinkin' it, no one was sayin' it.
We talk a lot here in the O-Zone about the importance of being nice. I'm not exactly certain, but this didn't seem particularly nice.
PDub from PC from New York
Zoner, Do I remember correctly that wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter had no idea the Jaguars were going to draft him No. 2 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. With that being the case, why would we expect to have any idea what the team of Executive Vice President of Football Operations Tony Boselli, Head Coach Liam Coen and General Manager James Gladstone are going to do in the draft. Making for an exciting opportunity to experience the draft this year. What say you?
I say when a team's first selection in the NFL Draft is No. 56 overall – 24 selections into Round 2 –there is no way the people running the draft know what they're going to do so there's no way fans and observers know. Sit back, relax and enjoy it.
Sam from Orlando, FL
Former Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles had his issues? That's putting it mildly. Where's Gene? How about an update on your mentor and 27-time festivus champion, Eugene "Clancy" Frenette?
"Mentor."
Brendan from Yulee
Best player to wear No. 5? The BOAT baby!
Four or so former Jaguars players merit being in this conversation: Quarterback Blake Bortles (2014-2018), wide receiver Dyami Brown (2025), safety Andre Cisco (2022-2024) and quarterback Quinn Gray (2005-2007). We include Brown pretty much because it was so recent. But yes … there is little question on this one that Bortles – a.k.a., the BOAT – is the best player in Jaguars history to wear No. 5.
Bradley from Death Valley, CA
Lawrence was incredibly effective as runner in his first year in Coen's offense: 40 first downs and nine touchdowns on 82 attempts is phenomenal. Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs, perhaps the best situational running quarterback of all time, has never had regular-season stats as impressive. Should we now regard Lawrence as an elite situational runner?
If you like.
Jadon from Raleigh, NC
Who is the best player to wear No. 5 for the Jags in Jaguars history?
Not Jim Tarle, though I did serve as a co-head coach in a spring game when I was covering high school sports for the Florida Times-Union and the former Jaguars kickoff specialist was at Bishop Kenny.
Alex from Michigan formerly Florida
You're keeping the flame on! Much appreciation. That Buffalo Bills game still stings. It ended so fast. In hindsight a pass over the middle without any real pressure was a bad decision. But he got us that far! I just saw a goofy post on the internet about us trading away Trevor and it was funny. Was not that way a while back. It's going to be a different team with TLaw clearly the man, hair on his legs, cleats in the grass. Duvvalll.
I haven't thought much about Lawrence's legs. I have seen him a few times and my gut is there's a different confidence and demeanor. As expected. He's the guy. This is that time.
Mike from St. Augustine, FL
Don't forget: No matter where you go, there you are!
A day without sunshine is like … night!
