NFL Free Agency 2013: Right Tackle, When Will The Dominoes Fall?
By Luke Sims
Sep 30, 2012; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Cincinnati Bengals tackle Andre Smith (71) blocks Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Austen Lane (right) during the third quarter at Everbank Field. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Sebastian Vollmer, Andre Smith, Eric Winston. These are all good right tackles that teams are waiting to sign during this offseason’s free agency period. So far, despite the premium talent of all three, nobody has been able to make a move. Are they all waiting on Jake Long to sign or are they all waiting on one of the other three?
Eventually one of them, or Long – despite playing left tackle, and the market will be set. Gosder Cherilus signed early in free agency but was considered more of a value pickup and less of a premium talent at the right tackle position. There are a number of teams who will be in play for the services of the three top right tackles and they will have to be quick as soon as the signing starts occurring.
The Jacksonville Jaguars have been quite quiet thus far in free agency, but going after any of these three right tackles would be a big move for the team. I expect the Jags to be in play for Vollmer, likely to let Smith and Winston walk, though the latter would also be a good fit. All three have a decent number of playing years left in them and should be solid additions either as bridges or cornerstones of GM Dave Caldwell’s rebuild. I expect the dominoes to begin to fall sometime this week, maybe by the middle as rumors seem to indicate that players like Jake Long are getting closer to signing.
– Luke N. Sims
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