Joe Thuney can give Jacksonville Jaguars O-Line significant boost
The Jacksonville Jaguars had a hard time putting points on the scoreboard last season and if they want to change that, they need to upgrade every offensive position group this offseason. While they could add a tight end or a wide receiver in free agency, they should also consider bolstering their offensive line and Joe Thuney will be one of the best guards available in the open market.
An NFC personnel executive described Thuney as a ‘tough and smart player‘, via Matt Lombardo of FanSided. He added that the guard ‘isn’t special, but what he has going for him heading into free agency is that he’s durable and still relatively young’.
A third-round selection by the New England Patriots in 2016’s draft, Thuney hasn’t missed a game over his five-year career and hasn’t had a Pro Football Focus overall grade lower than 74.1 in the last four years. Last season, he played 97 percent of the Patriots’ total snaps on offense and allowed just two sacks and 17 total pressures.
Why the Jacksonville Jaguars should pursue Joe Thuney in free agency.
Lombardo points out that the Jaguars have one of the best guards in the NFL in Brandon Linder and a solid guard in Andrew Norwell but believes that Thuney would give their interior offensive line a significant boost. Keep in mind that the ‘Jags’ will have the most cap space in the league, so they could easily outbid other teams interested in the guard.
On the other hand, A.J Cann has been solid at right guard and is set to make just $6.29 million this year. Thuney is certainly the better player but if the Jaguars want to upgrade their offensive line in free agency they should sign a left tackle instead.
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Trent Williams is one of the top left tackles in the league and if the Jags had to choose between a top left tackle and a right guard, they should choose the former. This doesn’t mean they shouldn’t target Thuney though. They have to prioritize the left tackle position but if they want to sign Thuney, they should go ahead and do it.