Where Does The Jacksonville Jaguars Offensive Line Rank?
By David Levin
According to Pro Football Focus, the Jacksonville Jaguars offensive line isn’t the best and it isn’t the worst in the league.
Per a story by Michael Renner, the Jacksonville Jaguars have the 15th ranked unit in the NFL. That’s cause for celebration, but also means there is room for improvement. The Jaguars were first in the NFL with an average of 141.4 yards per game on the ground and 17th in the NFL in passing yards per contest at 224.6 yards.
The improved line play last year yielded 24 sacks, the lowest total in the four seasons Blake Bortles has been behind center.
More from Jacksonville Jaguars News
- Jacksonville Jaguars land DeAndre Hopkins in trade proposal to stop the KC Chiefs
- The Jaguars may look for edge rushers with pick 24
- NFL free agency felt like a whirlwind for Jacksonville Jaguars TE Evan Engram in 2022
- Jacksonville Jaguars in position to let RT Jawaan Taylor hit free agency in 2023
- Jaguars GM Trent Baalke hopes HC Doug Pederson has trust in him
"“Jacksonville made the splash signing of the offseason when the inked Andrew Norwell – PFF’s third-highest graded guard in 2017 – to a 5-year, $66.5-million deal,” Renner writes. “That doesn’t completely alleviate the holes in the lineup though as Cam Robinson (37.6 overall grade) and A.J. Cann (52.5 overall grade) are still penciled in at left tackle and right guard, respectively.”"
The numbers for Robinson may be skewed as Jacksonville was a run-first team in 2017 and will continue to follow that blueprint this coming season.
With Norwell added to the left side, offensive line coach Pat Flaherty should see an improvement in pass protection.
"“Robinson will have to make huge strides from a rookie campaign that saw him finish 47th out of 55 qualifying tackles in pass-blocking efficiency,” Renner added."
When Flaherty was interviewed by the local media in late may during the Jaguars OTAs, he acknowledged there was work to do, especially at right guard. When asked about Cann and his play last season, he said the former South Carolina star did some good things and showed improvement.
He also said he believed the right guard spot would, “work itself out.”
Ironically, the Jaguars are in between two teams expected to be on the rise in 2018. The Cleveland Browns were ranked 14th by Renner. The San Francisco 49ers came in at 16th overall.
Next: Jaguars Center Brandon Linder is the Team's Center of Attention
Philadelphia, Dallas, Atlanta, Pittsburgh, and Tennessee have the top five offensive lines, according to Renner. Jacksonville was ranked second in the AFC South. Indianapolis came in 17th overall. The Houston Texans were ranked last in the NFL at 32.