Jaguars land Prince Amukamara but again fail to get defensive line help

The Jacksonville Jaguars landed one of two former New York Giants who visited Friday.

They missed out on the one they needed more.

Cornerback Prince Amukamara agreed to terms on a one-year contract with Jacksonville, but defensive end Robert Ayers ended up heading to Tampa Bay for a three-year deal worth $21 million. Ayers is the second pass-rusher in three days to spurn the Jaguars for another team. Former Miami Dolphins defensive end Olivier Vernon passed on Jacksonville and signed a five-year, $85-million deal with the Giants.

Although the Jaguars have spent big in free agency, they have yet to address their biggest need.

Jacksonville opted not to re-sign defensive ends Chris Clemons and Andre Branch, meaning the Jaguars will have to rely on second-year pro Robert Ayers, who missed his entire rookie year with a knee injury.

Of course, Jacksonville can still draft a pass-rusher and might with the fifth overall pick, but that would leave Coach Gus Bradley with essentially two rookies at the most important position on his defense.

Still, the Jaguars have seemingly improved one of the worst defenses in the league with the addition of Amukamara, defensive tackle Malik Jackson and free safety Tashaun Gipson.

Etc.

The Buccaneers also signed four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Brent Grimes agreed to a two-year, $13.5-million deal. Grimes spent the past three seasons with the Miami Dolphins. In nine NFL seasons, he has 26 interceptions, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. ... Cornerback Morris Claiborne is returning to Dallas on a team-friendly deal after the Cowboys declined the more expensive option on the former top 10 pick’s rookie contract. Two people with knowledge of the deal told the Associated Press that Claiborne agreed Friday to a contract worth up to $3.75 million, about $8 million less than the fifth-year option of his rookie deal. ... The Washington Redskins signed defensive end Kendall Reyes, their first foray into the free agent market this off-season. Reyes, 26, hasn’t missed a game over his four-year NFL career with the San Diego Chargers, who picked him in the second round of the 2012 draft. Reyes has 126 tackles, 13 1/2 sacks and an interception. ...

A person with direct knowledge of the decision tells the Associated Press that the Buffalo Bills won’t stand in the way of receiver Chris Hogan joining AFC East rival New England. The Bills are relinquishing their rights to Hogan by not matching the Patriots’ three-year, $12-million offer sheet he signed earlier in the day. ... The Seattle Seahawks continued to focus on retaining their own free agents by re-signing punter Jon Ryan to a four-year deal. Ryan averaged 45.7 yards per punt last season, with 24 inside the 20-yard line, but his net average of 37.3 was the lowest since 2011. ... The Jacksonville Jaguars have signed former Dallas and Carolina guard Mackenzy Bernadeau, adding some offensive line depth after cutting starter Zane Beadles. Bernadeau signed a two-year contract worth up to $4 million Friday. ... The Arizona Cardinals have re-signed defensive tackle Josh Mauro and tight end Ifeanyi Momah to one-year contracts. Both were exculsive rights free agents. ... The Detroit Lions re-signed linebacker Tahir Whitehead, cornerback Crezdon Butler, backup quarterback Dan Orlovsky and long snapper Don Muhlbach. ... Veteran kicker Phil Dawson reached agreement on a one-year contract to keep one of the San Francisco 49ers’ most consistent players with the team for the 2016 season, two people with direct knowledge of the deal said. ...

Gary Jeter, a lineman who played for the Giants and Rams during a 13-year NFL career, has died at 61. The NFL Players Assn .said it was informed Jeter died Wednesday. No cause or other details were given.