Jeremy

Mincey

They’re also meeting with the reps for free agent DBs Dwight Lowery and Rashean Mathis later in the Combine week. Mincey was the Jaguars’ best defensive lineman in 2011, but they should be careful to not overpay. The former sixth-round pick out of Florida barely got on the field in his first five NFL seasons.

“Certainly those are players that we see being a part of our future,” Smith said. The Jaguars have plenty of room under the cap to sign their own key free agents and still make a run at a wide receiver. Lowery solidified one of the NFL’s poorest secondaries after coming over in a trade with the Jets.

The Browns also reported to be interested. Early signs point to Mario Williams signing in Buffalo, leaving the Bears with a fallback option at defensive end. While Mincey showed a high motor last season, five of his eight sacks came in two games against the Colts’ injury-depleted O-Line.

Mincey was reportedly drawing heavy interest from the Bears, but has opted to stay with the club that gave him his first start in 2010. Since joining the Jaguars’ starting lineup in Week 10 two seasons ago, the 2006 sixth-round pick has notched 12 sacks in 24 games. Mincey’s re-signing could be a sign the Jaguars aren’t planning to seriously pursue free agent Mario Williams.

The Jaguars have yet to make progress in negotiations with Mincey and could opt to let the market determine his value. A sixth-round pick in 2006, Mincey flourished in defensive coordinator Mel Tucker’s scheme this past season, setting career highs in tackles (57), sacks (8), and forced fumbles.

Mincey flourished in defensive coordinator Mel Tucker’s scheme, amassing career highs in starts (16), tackles (57), sacks (8), and forced fumbles (4). A 28-year-old and journeyman before 2011, Mincey had bounced around the league for five seasons before breaking out in the last year of his contract. The Jaguars want Mincey back, but that sends up a bit of a red flag.

Mincey was a revelation as the team’s top defensive lineman in his fifth season, grading out as a top-12 defensive end in Pro Football Focus’ ratings. CB Rashean Mathis, S Dwight Lowery, and DE Matt Roth are also expected to be high on Smith’s list of priorities.

Mincey was asked to carry the load with Austen Lane (foot) and George Selvie (knee) sidelined. He had just three tackles and no sacks, a disappointment for IDP owners using him as a DL2. Expect a bigger day against the Texans this week as both Lane and Selvie are out again.

Mincey has turned a corner this season and broke out with a sack, four hurries and five tackles in last week’s loss to the Bengals. The most likely scenario going forward is a rotation at defensive end with Kampman, Mincey, Matt Roth and Austen Lane.

Kampman is expected to make his season debut after undergoing a second ACL tear recovery this offseason. He’ll likely be eased in as part of a rotation that will also involve Matt Roth and Austen Lane.