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Jacksonville Jaguars free agency 2018: Top 5 targets

By John Buhler

FOXBORO, MA - AUGUST 10: Allen Robinson No. 15 of the Jacksonville Jaguars gestures in the first half during a preseason game with New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on August 10, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
FOXBORO, MA - AUGUST 10: Allen Robinson No. 15 of the Jacksonville Jaguars gestures in the first half during a preseason game with New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on August 10, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MI – DECEMBER 31: Brett Hundley No. 7 of the Green Bay Packers is wrapped up by Tahir Whitehead No. 59 of the Detroit Lions during the first quarter at Ford Field on December 31, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – DECEMBER 31: Brett Hundley No. 7 of the Green Bay Packers is wrapped up by Tahir Whitehead No. 59 of the Detroit Lions during the first quarter at Ford Field on December 31, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

. OLB. Detroit Lions. Tahir Whitehead. 3. player. 50

If the Jaguars are to move off from Paul Posluszny, one guy that could make sense for them in Todd Wash’s defense might be outside linebacker Tahir Whitehead of the Detroit Lions. Whitehead is a former fifth-round pick by the Lions in the 2012 NFL Draft. He has played out two contracts with the Lions, the most recent being a two-year, $8 million deal he signed in 2016 NFL free agency.

Whitehead’s production has increased tremendously in the last two years with Lions. His growth under defensive coordinator Teryl Austin cannot be overstated. That being said, that is a big reason that Whitehead could leave the Lions for the first time in his career. With former Lions head coach Jim Caldwell being fired, it will be interesting to see what incoming head coach in former New England Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia will want to do with this defense.

Austin has gone to the Cincinnati Bengals to replace former defensive coordinator Paul Guenther now with the Oakland Raiders. Whitehead could conceivably follow Austin to the Queen City, but the Jaguars could have a more obvious need for him and a better shot at winning Super Bowl LII than the Bengals.

Could the Jaguars be able to get Whitehead on a similar deal to what he signed in 2016? Potentially, but expect that contract to be worth more than $4 million annually. Whitehead will be 28 years old in 2018, which is six years younger than Posluszny. Moving on from Posluszny could impact the Jaguars locker room more than we know. However, Whitehead could be a candidate to replace him if the Jaguars front office views Posluszny as also-ran heading into 2018.

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