Will Jawaan Taylor become the anchor the Jaguars need at right tackle?
By David Levin
After years of searching for an anchor at right tackle, will rookie second-round draft pick Jawaan Taylor become a force for the Jacksonville Jaguars?
It’s not hard to win the first meeting with the media in your first day at rookie minicamp, but that is what Jacksonville Jaguars right tackle Jawaan Taylor did on Friday as he and 61 other players got to work on the 2019 season. The former Florida offensive lineman is expected to be a Day 1 starter for an offensive line that needs consistency on the right side of the line.
"“It was a lot of fun having the opportunity to come out here and get better, learn as much as I can learn. It was a lot of fun,” Taylor said as he walked off the practice field and straight into a meeting with the media."
The combination of Taylor, along with first-round draft pick Josh Allen is expected to be an impactful duo that helps not only the Jaguars offense but will give a boost to the team’s pass rush with the selection of Allen, who slipped to the team at No. 7 in the NFL Draft.
The Jaguars haven’t had a truly consistent right tackle for years. It would be Christmas in April if this franchise has found their second coming of Leon Searcy. Jacksonville returned four of their five starters from the beginning of last season. Now, with Taylor in the mix, the fun begins determining which players will back him up for depth.
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Learning from head coach Doug Marrone, who was an offensive lineman in the pros should be an asset in Taylor’s development in his first season in the NFL.
"“It’s a blessing. The strength coach [Tom Myslinski], the head coach [Doug Marrone] and the O-line coach [George Warhop], I have three who all played offensive line. To have them on staff, them getting me better every day, I’m happy to be on this staff.”"
As stated by Anthony Robertson here on Black and Teal, the second-round selection of Taylor means others who were expected to have a shot at the right tackle job are now on the outside looking in.
"“Both Will Richardson and Cedric Ogbuehi are coming out of the draft now fighting another player for the chance to start at right tackle. Richardson was drafted in the fourth round by the Jaguars last season,” Robertson wrote."
Next. Jaguars: Three biggest losers from the NFL Draft. dark
"“Ogbuehi is a former first-round pick drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals who is looking to shake off the “bust” title by winning a starting job and proving all his doubters wrong.”"