Here is the last of a 10-part series breaking down the Jacksonville Jaguars' free agency needs, position by position:
Safety
Who is on the roster: Johnathan Cyprien, Matt Daniels, Josh Evans and Craig Loston.
Players scheduled to become free agents on March 10: Sherrod Martin.
Analysis: For Gus Bradley’s defense to perform at its best it must have a physical strong safety that can play near the line of scrimmage and a free safety with the range and athleticism to cover the width of the entire field. The Jaguars believe they have the box safety in Cyprien, the team’s second-round pick in 2013. He led the team in tackles in 2014 and has 209 in his two seasons. He has just nine pass breakups and one interception in 30 games, though, and the Jaguars need him to be more productive in that area. The Jaguars don’t have the player they need at free safety. Josh Evans, a sixth-round pick in 2013, has started 24 games at the spot but has no interceptions, no forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and just two pass breakups. Evans also has had issues with tackling, though he improved significantly in that area as the 2014 season progressed and was the Jaguars' third-leading tackler (90) in his second season. Loston, an undrafted rookie in 2014, played mainly on special teams. Martin started 36 games for Carolina from 2009-12 but didn’t make a roster in 2013. He started two games in 2014 and finished with 14 tackles but mainly played on special teams. The Jaguars need an upgrade at free safety and some quality depth as well.
NFL free agents of interest: I wrote earlier in the week that Devin McCourty should be the Jaguars’ top priority in free agency. He’s the top free safety available and will command a big contract, but other names to watch include Rahim Moore and Tashaun Gipson.
