Jacksonville Jaguars: Grading the Early 2025 Free Agency Additions

The Jacksonville Jaguars have a new regime entering 2025, and the start of free agency was different than years past. The team would usually “win” free agency but fizzle during the season. The front office took a different approach this year, so we’ll take a look at the grades for the free agency pickups so far in the 2025 offseason.

Jacksonville Jaguars Free Agent Signings

Nick Mullens, QB

The Jaguars have a new back up quarterback in Nick Mullens and there is familiarity with new offensive coordinator Grant Udinski. The two have been together for the past three years with the Minnesota Vikings.

Mullens is not a starter in the NFL but has shown the capability of stepping into games and playing well. The biggest part of this signing is being able to help Trevor Lawrence with the new coaching staff. Mullens career numbers are 33 touchdowns to 31 interceptions, so the decision making when playing has been average at best. However, he provides a much-needed veteran presence in the QB room.

Grade: C

Dyami Brown, WR

The Jaguars traded Christian Kirk to the Texans, so receiver was a need entering free agency. Dyami Brown had not done much in his first three years of his career. However, in 2024, he had over 500 receiving yards on 44 receptions. Brown played 77 percent of his snaps in 2024 outside but shows versatility to be moved around. Brown shows ability on short passes and also 32 percent of his yards were on passes over 20 yards down the field. He showed up big in the playoffs having two games of over 89 yards against the Buccaneers and Lions.

Grade: B-

Hunter Long, TE

The Jaguars let Evan Engram and Luke Farrell go, so tight end was another need. Long has not lived up to his potential as a third-round pick. He only has nine catches for 81 yards in four years with the Dolphins. Long has mostly been used as a blocker, but did log his most snaps in 2024 and had his best blocking numbers according to PFF. Long was with the Rams the last couple years, so GM James Gladstone has familiarity with him.

Grade: C-

Johnny Mundt, TE

Johnny Mundt is a nine-year veteran that has spent time with the Rams and Vikings. So there are connections with Gladstone and Udinski. For his first five years there was little production, but Mundt has been productive in a backup role with the Vikings the last three years. He has caught 58 passes on 73 targets for 494 yards and four touchdowns. Mundt is an above-average blocker and will add depth like Long to the tight end room. Both signings at tight end are not flashy but cheaper than the contract Luke Farrell received.

Grade: C-

Robert Hainsey, C

Trevor Lawrence has had multiple centers in his tenure with the Jaguars and the results have been inconsistent. Mitch Morse was a disappointment last year and decided to retire. In comes Robert Hainsey.

Hainsey played sparingly in 2024. However, in the two years prior, had over 2,300 snaps at center. Head coach Liam Coen was able to see him in practice for the Buccaneers so there was familiarity between the two. The PFF grades in his two years starting were average, but Hainsey did only allow five sacks in two years. In 2024 on 94 snaps he received a 81 grade in pass-blocking. The Jaguars did not break the bank but it will be seen if Hainsey can be the answer at center.

Grade: C

Patrick Mekari, G

Brandon Scherff will be moving on from the RG spot, so this was another need for the Jaguars in free agency. Patrick Mekari played in Baltimore for six years but only saw starting snaps in 2024 at guard. He has experience playing at every position on the line so this brings flexibility if they decide he will not be a starting guard. In 1,131 snaps in 2024, Mekari only allowed one sack and no hits. According to PFF, in 2024 he had 11 games where he allowed one or less pressures.

Grade: B-

Chuma Edoga, OT

Tackle play has been inconsistent the past few years for the Jaguars. Anton Harrison seems to have the right side locked up and Walker Little was above-average once Cam Robinson was traded. Edoga provides depth and versatility as he has played LT, LG, and RT. He could end up being a swing tackle or even providing time at guard. His best year blocking was in Atlanta in 2022, where he had an overall grade of 77.8 from PFF. In the last two years, he has played 380 pass blocking snaps and given up 23 pressures. That is not ideal so it will have to be seen how this signing goes in shoring up the offensive line.

Grade: C-

Jourdan Lewis, CB

The Jaguars secondary was shaky last year so there had to be additions in free agency. However, it was surprising that they targeted Jourdan Lewis. The thought was that Jacksonville would target an outside corner opposite Tyson Campbell with Jarrian Jones playing in the slot most of his rookie year.

Lewis played eight years in Dallas and had 10 interceptions and 29 pass breakups. The last two years, he has played 77 percent of his snaps in the slot, but started his football career playing mostly outside. The scheme of the defense is unknown, so we will see how Jones and Lewis will be deployed in the secondary. Lewis is a strong tackler and brings toughness to the secondary.

Grade: B

Eric Murray, S

Safety was an issue for the defense in 2024 for the Jaguars. Andre Cisco regressed and now is with the New York Jets. Rumors were swirling that the Jaguars would target Jevon Holland from the Miami Dolphins. He had history with new defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile a couple of years ago when he was the LB coach in Miami. The team decided to go with Eric Murray who is a nine year veteran and has been with the rival Texans the last five years.

In 2024, Murray had 69 tackles with two interceptions and eight pass breakups. Murray played in the box 37 percent of his snaps in 2024, but did allow four touchdowns and 489 yards when he was targeted. He has had an up and down career so it is to be seen if Campanile can get the best out of Murray.

Grade: C+

Overall Jaguars Free Agency Grades

This was a different type of free agency than what the Jaguars had previously under David Caldwell and Trent Baalke, where there were big splashes and massive overpays that had mixed results.

Gladstone had said they wanted to raise the floor of the team and really make the big improvements through the NFL draft. Other than Lewis and Brown, most of the players look to be depth pieces for the team.

The Jaguars will still look for offensive line, secondary, and wide receiver help in the draft. A big trend of free agency was getting players with history of the new coaching staff and GM. Not an exciting free agency but it was nice to see the Jaguars not overpay for average players.

Overall Free Agency Grade: C