3 free agents the Jacksonville Jaguars should avoid in 2021 offseason

Any young quarterback will always rely on their tight ends. They are dependable and blocking and usually play closer to the line of scrimmage to help act as a security blanket to pick up short yardage.

There’s only a handful of elite tight ends in the NFL today. Travis Kelce, George Kittle, Hunter Henry, and Darren Waller are likely the only for worthy of their contracts. Everyone else is a tad overpaid.

Is Smith next?

Smith is hitting free agency at the right time, coming off a career-year with 41 catches for 448 yards and eight touchdowns. With a little talent at the position hitting the open market, he’s likely the second-best option behind Henry.

All that adds up to an overpaid deal in the offseason.

Jacksonville should’ve learned when they signed Julius Thomas to a five-year, $46 million contract in 2015. Smith will likely want something in a four-year deal, worth at least $35 million. Up until 2019, he was the No.2 tight and behind Delanie Walker. Even in 2020, Anthony Firkser finished with just two fewer completions.

Smith is a solid tight end, but he’s not a top-five player at the position. He shouldn’t be paid top-five money, meaning Jacksonville would grossly be overpaying for him.