Jaguars Free Agency 2013: Plenty of Right Tackles Left
By Luke Sims
Oct 21, 2012; Foxboro, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots tackle Sebastian Vollmer (76) during the fourth quarter against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium. The New England Patriots won 29-26. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
The market for right tackles during free agency has been slow. Really slow. Personally, I don’t think that the hammer has fallen just yet and the players at right tackle will still demand some pretty serious money from teams when they finally do begin signing. The big names like Andre Smith, Sebastian Vollmer, and Eric Winston are still out there. So, who will be the ones grabbing them up? I don’t see the Jacksonville Jaguars among them.
Of Winston, Smith, and Vollmer, the latter seems like the best fit and likely a cheaper option for the Jaguars. The team desperately needs an upgrade at right tackle and Vollmer would provide that, assuming he’s healthy of course. Bryant McKinnie, fresh off a Super Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens, is also still available. He performed much better on the left side than on the right but could be one of those “bridge” players that GM Dave Caldwell is looking for in free agency.
The search for a right tackle is important for the Jags because they need a stronger offensive line as they rebuild. The Jags already have a strong left tackle in Eugene Monroe so it seems unlikely that the team will draft one in April and college free agency likely won’t have a player who can outplay Cameron Bradfield, so free agency seems like the time to take a stab at a player.
There are plenty of free agent right tackles left, I just hope the Jags pull the trigger and pick one up sometime soon.
– Luke N. Sims
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