Jacksonville, FL (SportsNetwork.com) - The Jacksonville Jaguars continued to make a splash at the start of this year's NFL free agent period, announcing the signings of five new players after introducing Pro Bowl tight end Julius Thomas earlier Wednesday.
In addition to Thomas, who left the Denver Broncos for a reported five-year, $45 million deal, the Jaguars landed former Dolphins defensive lineman Jared Odrick, ex-Cowboys offensive tackle Jermey Parnell, former Packers cornerback Davon House, linebacker Dan Skuta and safety Sergio Brown.
Flush with cap space and eager to improve a team that has lost at least 11 games in each of the past four seasons, Jacksonville was one of the most aggressive teams on this year's market.
Odrick, replaced in Miami by the Dolphins' signing of All-Pro Ndamukong Suh, will receive five-year, $42.5 million deal, according to the Associated Press. Parnell was handed a five-year, $32 million pact with $13 million guaranteed, House will earn $25 million over four years and Skuta left San Francisco for a five-year, $20.5 million contract.
A first-round pick of the Dolphins in 2010, Odrick has recorded 16 1/2 sacks over the last four seasons and started all 16 games in 2014.
Parnell filled in ably for an injured Doug Free in five starts for the NFC East champion Cowboys last season and will take over at right tackle for a Jacksonville line that allowed a league-worst 71 sacks in 2014.
House was used primarily as a sub-package player in Green Bay, making just 14 starts during his four seasons there, but figures to compete for a starting role with his new team. The corner recorded 10 passes defensed and an interception over 13 games (four starts) with the Packers last season.
Skuta is coming off a career year with the 49ers in which the former undrafted free agent notched five sacks, three forced fumbles and 33 tackles while starting 10 games. The 28-year-old is also considered a strong special teams player and has compiled 142 tackles over six seasons with Cincinnati and San Francisco.
Brown made a career-high eight starts for Indianapolis last season and registered 34 tackles, one sack and six passes defensed over 15 games overall. A core special teams player as well, the 26-year-old played in 45 games with the Colts over the past three seasons after spending his first two years with New England.
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