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The Jacksonville Jaguars have a massive need at defensive end heading into the 2014 offseason. They need to add a pass rusher in the worst way and will likely address it at some capacity in free agency. The big question is do they go after one of the higher priced free agents like Michael Bennett or Greg Hardy, or do they go for more of the second-tier type players and hope to find another Sen'Derrick Marks type of player.
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It's unlikely the Carolina Panthers will franchise tag Hardy, which would cost them $11.175 million for the 2014 season. While that's not a huge number to hold on to a pass rusher for another season for a playoff contending team, the problem is the Panthers only have about that much in cap room, according to Joe Person of the Charolotte Observer.
If the Jaguars want Greg Hardy however, it appears they're going to have to really open up the checkbook.
Also from Person in that same article is the thought that Hardy is going to command more than what the Panthers paid to defensive end Charles Johnson. Johnson received a six-year, $76 million deal with a $30 million signing bonus and $32 million guaranteed.
I'm sure the Jaguars will spend if they see it fit, but I have a hard time seeing them drop that kind of cash on a free agent defensive end if they don't even have a quarterback yet.
Unless...
