Each day through Feb. 20 I'll examine Jaguars players who are scheduled to become free agents on March 10.
LB Geno Hayes
Type: Unrestricted.
Summary: Hayes played in all 16 games (12 starts) and finished with 51 tackles, two sacks, nine tackles for loss, and one forced fumble. He played both outside linebacker spots (weakside and otto) and was helpful in the development of rookie Telvin Smith.
Why re-sign him: Hayes' versatility is an asset and he is solid in coverage. He still runs well despite having knee issues the past two seasons and he's a dependable player. That's important if the Jaguars are going to be investing in more young linebackers through the draft. They'll need more than just Paul Posluszny as a veteran presence.
Why let him go: The knee issues, which earned him a day off each week as a precaution, aren't going to get better with age. While he does run well, the Jaguars want to increase their speed at linebacker even more. Plus, the position didn't make many plays last season and upgrading in that area is a priority.
Best guess: The Jaguars likely add a linebacker in free agency and draft at least one so I don't think he'll be back.
