Assessing the Jaguars offensive line following the Draft
By David Levin
Even with a large number of bodies fighting for a spot on the Jaguars offensive line, is this unit better this season than in 2018?
There are plenty of bodies on the Jacksonville Jaguars offensive line. Four of the five starters from Week 1 of the NFL season return to the team in 2019. There is a buzz about the team’s ability to get Florida tackle Jawaan Taylor in the second round of the NFL Draft last month. And there is some depth that was added to beef up the front five in free agency.
Taylor will replace departed tackle Jermey Parnell.
With all of those moves and a renewed enthusiasm about how good this unit can be in 2019, why am I still a bit skeptical of what will happen once these players put on the pads and helmets and play in meaningful games?
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Nick Foles was brought in to replace a beleaguered passing game. He is faced with the challenge of working with players who did not perform up to their capability last year and will play behind an offensive line that was mediocre before injuries took over the majority of the 2018 season.
Foles isn’t as mobile as former starter Blake Bortles, which means offensive coordinator John DiFilippo will have to use the same kind of schemes he was part of in Philadelphia with Foles under center.
That should help his signal caller, but will it benefit the line in front of him?
"“The Jaguars made multiple moves to improve and solidify this area in the offseason, including replacing offensive line coach Pat Flaherty with longtime NFL offensive line coach George Warhop,” writes John Oehser of Jaguars.com. “But no Jaguars offseason offensive line move was as important or high-profile as drafting Taylor.”"
With that excitement comes pressure. Can the rookie play like a veteran early on? Will he be better than his predecessors? Is he a quick study? How will he handle bigger, stronger and quicker pass rushers?
The Jaguars surrendered 53 sacks last season and were 19th in the league in rushing per game. Those numbers will have to improve if the team wants the offense to some signs of life. Injuries did take their toll on everyone on this side of the ball, but the majority of the concentration this offseason is to make sure there are enough big bodies up front to keep the quarterback’s jersey clean and to move the chains with the power running game.
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"“[The line] should improve a right tackle position at which Parnell gutted through ankle and knee injuries last season – and Taylor could have the added effect of helping [A.J.} Cann. But this area figures to improve if it simply stays healthier than it did last season. Cann was the only 2018 Week 1 starter who finished the season,” Oehser wrote."