Jaguars/NFL Insider: Post-draft, team will face decisions on contract extensions – Florida Times-Union

In 2015, quarterback Blake Bortles threw 35 touchdowns and receiver Allen Robinson had 1,400 yards.

Center Brandon Linder is regarded as the teams best offensive lineman.

Aaron Colvin doesnt have an interception but is a steady nickel cornerback.

And linebacker Telvin Smith has three 100-tackle seasons.

The Jaguars 2014 draft class has certainly shown flashes throughout their careers.

But theyve been on teams that went 3-13, 5-11 and 3-13.

So as they enter the final year of their rookie contracts, should the Jaguars let them play it out and prove they can be a part of a winning team?

That doesnt make a lot of business sense, general manager Dave Caldwell said earlier this month at the Combine.

That out of the way, Caldwell said more than likely the Jaguars will begin extension talks with select players after the draft and called it a case by case basis.

I think its important for the new staff to get a feel for them and how theyre going to be used and evaluate their value, Caldwell said.

Last season, we projected extensions for Robinson, Colvin, Linder and Smith, a fifth-year picked-up option for Bortles and a wait-and-see approach with receiver Marqise Lee.

After last years debacle, the changes in the front office/coaching staff and free-agent additions, its time to revisit and revise our predictions.

We would let all of them except for Linder start the regular season without an extension, but this is a guess on what the Jaguars will do:

*Bortles: Wont pick up the fifth-year option.

*Linder: Should be Priority A for the Jaguars among this group.

*Robinson: The Jaguars likely want to have him locked up long-term by the time training camp starts.

*Colvin: One league source thinks Colvin will want to play his deal out and leave so he can get a chance to play outside instead of over the slot receiver.

*Smith: Our guess is the Jaguars want to get a deal done.

*Lee: If he picks up where he left off last year, start contract talks midway through the year.

Rivera review

The Jaguars signed tight end Mychal Rivera on Wednesday so we went to the tape. In a 24-13 Oakland win over San Francisco in 2014, Rivera had a career-high 109 yards receiving on seven catches.

A look at Riveras receptions:

1. Right slot (five yards). Rivera had a free release and ran an out route.

2. Right H-back (19 yards). Lined up off the ball, he used an out-and-up move to easily get open.

3. Left tight end (18 yards). Rivera ran a 10-yard route down the middle, stopped to make the catch and re-started to gain additional yardage as three 49ers tried to tackle him.

4. Right tight end (27 yards). The Raiders lined up three tight ends to the right and used an eight-man protection. Rivera ran an over route and stopped in an open pocket of the coverage to wait for Derek Carrs throw.

5. Left receiver (27 yards). In a bunch formation with two teammates, Rivera ran another over route against soft coverage.

6. Left tight end (eight yards). Another free release and Rivera ran a shallow cross.

7. Right receiver (five-yard touchdown). In man coverage, Rivera used his body to gain position to make a jumping catch.

At least in this game, it looked like Riveras value to the Jaguars will be as a receiving tight end. He appeared to run good routes and was impressive after the catch.

Analyzing the spending

The industry website Overthecap.com had a terrific breakdown of each teams spending by position and by unit.

*The Jaguars ranked eighth overall ($160,141,244) and their breakdown was 58 percent defense and 42 percent offense, interesting because defensive contributors Yannick Ngakoue, Dante Fowler, Telvin Smith, Myles Jack, Jalen Ramsey and Aaron Colvin are all on their rookie (less-expensive) contracts.

*The Jaguars defensive spending ranked fourth in the NFL, behind Tennessee (60 percent) and Denver and the Jets (both 59).

*Twenty-seven percent of the Jaguars 2017 money is allocated to the defensive line, behind only Tampa Bay (30) and Miami and the Jets (both 28).

*Only the Jaguars and Buffalo spend less than 10 percent apiece on the quarterback, running back, receiver and tight end positions.

*The highest positional spending is Cleveland on its offensive line (32 percent).

Appreciating Alualu

Tyson Alualu never played in a postseason game or a Pro Bowl during his seven years with the Jaguars, was demoted to back-up status entering the 2014 season and was a healthy scratch for the first two games of last year.

But Alualu, who signed with Pittsburgh last week, deserves a hat tip for his years of service to the franchise. Alualu played through knee issues, accepted a reduced role and became a starter in 2015 (tackle) and 2016 (end) because of injuries to SenDerrick Marks and Jared Odrick, respectively.

From the 2010 draft, Alualu ranks tied for second with Detroit/Miami defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh in games played (110), just behind Denver/Jaguars/San Francisco guard Zane Beadles (112).

Final Drive

*Signing a player from a division rival isnt new for Jaguars executive vice president Tom Coughlin. This month, the Jaguars signed cornerback A.J. Bouye (Houston) and linebacker Josh McNary (Indianapolis). As the New York Giants coach from 2004-15, Coughlin saw the team sign eight free agents from NFC East rivals, including linebacker Antonio Pierce (2005 from Washington), defensive end Chris Canty (2009 from Dallas), tight end Martellus Bennett (2012 from Dallas) and special teamer Dwayne Harris (2015 from Dallas).

*All but one of the Jaguars nine unrestricted free agents have re-signed or signed with another team. Tailback Denard Robinson remains unsigned. The Jaguars re-signed guard Patrick Omameh and receiver Bryan Walters. Departing were Alualu, tackle/guard Luke Joeckel (Seattle), strong safety Johnathan Cyprien (Tennessee), left tackle Kelvin Beachum (Jets), defensive tackle Jordan Hill (Detroit) and cornerback Prince Amukamara (Chicago).

*Base salaries this year for nine Jaguars newcomers: Defensive end Calais Campbell ($9 million), left tackle Branden Albert ($8.425 million), strong safety Barry Church ($5 million), Bouye ($3 million), guard Earl Watford ($2 million), linebacker Lerentee McCray ($1.5 million), defensive tackle Stefan Charles ($1.25 million), linebacker Audie Cole ($1 million) and McNary ($775,000).

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Jaguars/NFL Insider: Post-draft, team will face decisions on contract extensions - Florida Times-Union