Jacksonville Jaguars: What happens with Mychal Rivera, Rashad Greene?
By Larry Brake
There a few players that the Jacksonville Jaguars will have healthy for 2018. What will happen to them?
The Jacksonville Jaguars had 14 players on their injured reserve list in 2017. Since the Jaguars had a deep run into the playoffs, what will happen to those guys? Most of all, will Mychal Rivera and Rashad Greene be in the plans for the 2018 Jacksonville offense?
Allen Robinson is also on that list, but he will be an unrestricted free agent in March. He may test the free agent market. However, Jacksonville might put the franchise tag on him as well. Due to his athleticism, Robinson is someone that would really help the team going forward.
It’s different for Rivera and Greene because of the way that the season played out. The three tight ends played well all season. Meanwhile, Dede Westbrook and Jaydon Mickens performed well in Greene’s absence.
Jacksonville signed Rivera to a two year deal worth $3.25 million, per Spotrac. He spent the 2017 season on the injured reserve list. Over the Cap reports that Jacksonville would have saved $1.453 million, but have $250,000 in dead money cost towards the salary cap by cutting him.
Marcedes Lewis played very well, even at age 33. Ben Koyack and James O’Shaughnessy made big plays when the team needed them. Is there anything that Rivera would do better? Would the Jaguars be better off by cutting Rivera and drafting a premier tight end?
Greene faces more obstacles to make the roster for 2018. Mickens was the best punt returner for Jacksonville and comes at a cheaper cost. The emergence of Keelan Cole has taken Greene’s spot in the offense.
If the Jaguars release Greene, before June 1, they would save $705,000 towards the salary cap. Would Jacksonville gain anything by keeping him? Westbrook and Cole are deep threats. Westbrook can be used in the return teams too. Expect the Jaguars to part ways with Greene.
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The remaining players on the Jaguars 2017 injured reserve list will probably be released or given an injury settlement. The money saved by releasing them will be used to add roster depth. Jacksonville is structuring itself to be perennial playoff contenders. The future looks bright in Jacksonville.