Jaguars pleased with the progress of Will Richardson at right guard

After a rookie season that was washed away due to injuries, Jacksonville Jaguars right guard Will Richardson is battling for a starting spot.

There is a battle going on to become the Jaguars starting right guard.

After a season Will Richardson would like to forget in 2018, one riddled with an injury and lack of playing time, the 2019 season offers hope and a different player than from just 12 months ago.

During rookie minicamp, Richardson told me last season he was excited about being a part of the Jaguars and was looking forward to soaking up as much knowledge as he could to make an impact in his rookie year. That never materialized and there were plenty of questions about his place with the team heading into 2019.

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The Jaguars re-signed starter A.J. Cann and brought back Brandon Thomas. There is plenty of competition this season which started with OTAs and continues through training camp and the preseason. Richardson is making his presence felt. Head coach Doug Marrone has singled him out on more than one occasion to talk about how he is improved as a player on this football team.

"“I liked what he did,” Marrone said. “He showed really good strength in the run game. I think he got worn out a little bit strength-wise near the end, but that’s something that will come with experience and strength, coming back from it. I thought he did a nice job like I said.”"

It wasn’t the case prior to the NFL Draft. When asked about Richardson and how he needed to develop, Marrone told the media that attended to Jaguars Pre-Draft luncheon Richardson needed to come to camp and play hard this season.

Mission accomplished.

A fourth-round pick out of North Carolina State in 2018, Richardson told Jaguars.com senior writer John Oehser he is doing what he has to do to be a major part of the team’s offensive line.

"“It’s going good,” Richardson said. “I’m just taking it day by day.”"

Sometimes the easiest route to follow will bring the biggest reward. Cann was brought back because new offensive line coach George Warhop wanted to work with him, to help him develop as a player. And as the Jaguars most consistent starting offensive lineman last season, it was a move that made plenty of sense.

Richardson has other ideas.

The Jaguars offensive line is once again a topic of conversation. Injuries are mounting on the outside with left tackle Cam Robinson still on the mend from an ACL injury last season. Right tackle Jawaan Taylor fell in practice last Tuesday in Baltimore. There is no timetable on his return. Also, left guard Andrew Norwell is dealing with an injury and did not practice on Saturday.

This is an opportunity Richardson cannot pass up.

Richardson figures to get more playing time on Sunday in live action against the Philadelphia Eagles. It is still up in the air as to who will be named the starter on the right side. As the offensive line continues to mend, the second-year player must continue to play with the same intensity he started with this offseason. That’s the best way to get himself in line to make the move to the starting lineup.

He knows there are still challenges ahead in the preseason.

"“I’m not going to sit here and say I don’t keep up with what they say about me,” Richardson said. “I want to know how people feel about me. I want to be one of the people who help change this program this year. I’ve seen some good talk about me, so my job is to keep working every day.”"