JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – NFL free agency begins this week and teams can begin negotiating contracts with players starting Monday. Here’s where the Jaguars stand during the initial negotiation period.
OL Fred Johnson
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The Jaguars announced Wednesday the 10th free agent signee. Veteran offensive lineman Fred Johnson signed a one year deal with the team.
Johnson played in every game the last two seasons with the Eagles, including six starts this past season for the Super Bowl champions. Johnson was part of an offensive line unit that helped the Eagles rush for 3,048 yards in 2024, which set a single-season franchise record and ranked sixth in a season in NFL history. He also spent time with the Steelers, Bengals, and Buccaneers.
Johnson played for the Florida Gators from 2015 to 2018. He saw action in 44 games (31 starts). In his senior season in 2018, Florida’s offensive line allowed 18.0 sacks, ranking third in the SEC and 20th in the nation. He was also named to the 2018 SEC Football Community Service team and the Wuerffel Trophy Watch List for his work in the community.
CB Jourdan Lewis
The NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that the Jaguars have a deal in place with the 29-year-old corner who has spent his entire career with the Cowboys.
Lewis will likely play the nickel corner role with the team potentially moving second-year player Jarrian Jones to the outside corner spot. Lewis, 29, spent his entire eight-year career with Dallas. He’s not a big interception player (10 in his career) but will provide experience and greater upside than what Jacksonville had last year with Jones and Ronald Darby. Lewis had a 71.7 overall grade from Pro Football Focus, ranking 36th out of 223 corners.
He was even better in coverage, earning a 79 grade and ranking 14th out of 223 corners. Rapoport said Lewis’ deal is three years for $30 million, with $20 million guaranteed.
TE Hunter Long
Long was a third-round pick of the Dolphins in 2021 and is headed to Jacksonville, according to a report from ESPN’s Mike DiRocco. Long is virtually no threat as a receiver (8 catches, 68 yards) but is known as a strong blocker. He’ll be more in line of what Luke Farrell was with the Jaguars.
QB Nick Mullens
Jacksonville has found its backup to Trevor Lawrence, agreeing to a deal with Vikings quarterback Nick Mullens, according to the NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. Mullens’ deal is reported to be for $6.5 million over two years, according to Garafolo. Mullens has played in 17 games over seven years with the 49ers, Browns and Vikings. He has 34 touchdown passes and 31 interceptions in his career and is 5-15 as a starter. Offensive coordinator Grant Udinski was in Minnesota with Mullens.
TE Johnny Mundt
The Jaguars also grabbed Mundt from the Vikings, according to the NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. Mundt, 30, is an eight-year NFL veteran and is getting a two-year deal worth $5.5 million. He is more of a blocking-centric tight end. Mundt has 65 receptions for 547 yards and four touchdowns in his career with the Rams and Vikings. Jacksonville is in need of tight ends to replenish the position on its roster. It released Evan Engram last week, and both Luke Farrell and Josiah Deguara are free agents.
S Eric Murray
The 31-year-old Murray is heading to Jacksonville from the Texans, according to Maurice Jones-Drew of the NFL Network. Murray played in 17 games last year and started 14. The nine-year NFL veteran broke into the league with Kansas City in 2016 and also spent a year in Cleveland before spending the last five seasons in Houston. Murray had 75 tackles last year, one off his career high set in 2021. He’s not a big turnover player but is solid in coverage (67th out of 170, according to PFF). Jacksonville had one of the worst pass defenses in franchise history last year.
WR Dyami Brown
25-year-old Dyami Brown, who has spent his entire four-year career with the Washington Commanders, has signed a one-year, $10 million deal with the Jaguars, according to NFL Insider Mike Garafolo.
Last season, Brown posted career-high numbers in catches (30) and yards (308) while serving as a fourth option in the Washington offense behind Terry McLaurin, Zach Ertz, and Noah Brown.
Before being drafted in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft, Brown played college football at the University of North Carolina.
OL Patrick Mekari
Former Ravens offensive lineman Patrick Mekari has agreed to terms with the Jaguars on a three-year deal worth up to nearly $40 million, according to ESPN Insider Jeremy Fowler.
Mekari, 27, signed with the Ravens after going undrafted in 2019. In 2021, he served as the team’s starting right tackle but has spent significant time all over the team’s offensive line.
The move comes as the team looks to bolster its offensive line and protect franchise quarterback Trevor Lawrence. According to Pro Football Focus, the Jags' offensive line was in the middle of the pack (ranked 19th out of 32 teams) last season; meanwhile, the Ravens' offensive line ranked second.
C Robert Hainsey
Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers center Robert Hainsey has agreed to join Jacksonville on a three-year/$21 million deal with $13 million guaranteed, reuniting with Liam Coen in Duval County.
Hainsey, 26, played college football at Notre Dame before becoming a third-round draft pick in 2021. He also spent time at IMG Academy in Bradenton, so he’s no stranger to the Sunshine State.
According to Pro Football Focus, Hainsey was ranked 4th out of 64 centers for pass blocking and 10th out of 64 for run blocking.
“More protection for Trevor Lawrence and a familiar face for Liam Coen,” said NFL Insider Ian Rapoport.
No Chris Godwin
Jacksonville reportedly had eyes on Buccaneers receiver Chris Godwin, but he is re-signing with Tampa Bay, according to Rapoport. The deal is reportedly worth $66 million over three years ($44 million guaranteed).
