After years of minimal returns, the Jacksonville Jaguars shook things up this offseason and started a rebuild. Although they made several moves that have had a positive impact, they’re not done. In fact, this is just the beginning and they will need to keep making additions next year.
Fortunately, the Jaguars will have plenty of cap space to sign a few impact free agents in 2022. They’re set to have around $66 million in cap room, per Over The Cap. Moreover, they don’t have any priority players to keep outside of wide receiver DJ Chark and maybe left tackle Cam Robinson.
This means the front office can use their vast amount to upgrade several position groups. One unit that could use a boost is the interior offensive line. Right guard A.J. Cann and left guard Andrew Norwell are set to hit the open market next year. Tyler Shatley, the team’s primary backup inside, will also become a free agent.
While re-signing Andrew Norwell at the right price makes sense, the Jags need to use the opportunity to upgrade their offensive line. Here are the top-four offensive guards they could target in 2022.
No. 1 guard the Jaguars must target in 2022 free agency – Connor Williams
The Dallas Cowboys will be in a cap crunch next year and may have a hard time keeping offensive guard Connor Williams. They’re currently set to be $11 over the cap next offseason. That figure should go down after restructuring a few contracts and releasing a few players. Nevertheless, keeping the Texas product may turn out to be challenging.
Williams was a second-round pick by the Boys in the 2018 draft. Although he tore his ACL in 2019, he went on to start every game the following season and has played every single offensive snap in Dallas in 2021.
During the preseason, Williams got some snaps at center, which would make him even more valuable. He’s currently 24 and may not have reached his ceiling yet. In 2020, he earned a Pro Football Focus overall grade of 70.8. He’s doing a bit better this year, posting a 70.9 overall mark.
No. 2 guard the Jaguars must target in 2022 free agency – Laken Tomlinson
Offensive guard Laken Tomlinson has been a steady contributor for the San Francisco 49ers over the last few years. Originally a first-round selection by the Detroit Lions in 2015, the Duke product was traded for a fifth-round pick before the start of the 2017 season.
At first, it didn’t look like Tomlinson was part of the Niners’ long-term plans, as they declined to pick up the fifth-year option on his rookie deal. However, they gave him a three-year extension worth $18 million in 2018. Looking back, it was a rather affordable deal for San Francisco and one they are most likely glad they made, as the 28th overall pick in the 2015 draft has gone on to become a fixture of the 49ers offensive line.
Tomlinson has proven to be durable, starting 72 of 73 possible games since 2017. Last season, he posted a Pro Football Focus overall grade of 78.8, the highest mark in his seven-year career. This season, he’s been equally consistent and has had a 75.4 overall grade.
The 49ers could also have a limited amount of cap space to work with in 2022. As of this writing, they’re set to have around $12 million, which won’t be enough to either re-sign their own players or target any big-name free agents next offseason. This could lead Tomlinson to look for a payday somewhere else, and the Jaguars will be in a position to sign him.
No. 3 guard the Jaguars must target in 2022 free agency – Austin Blythe
Signing interior offensive lineman Austin Blythe in 2022 would be a low-key move that would give the Jaguars’ offensive line a big boost. The Iowa product signed a one-year deal with the Kansas City Chiefs this offseason but hasn’t seen the field much due to the emergence of rooie center Creed Humphrey.
Blythe started only two games in his first two years in the NFL but went on to make 47 starts from 2018 to 2020. Originally a seventh-round selection by the Indianapolis Colts in 2016, he was waived before the start of the 2017 season and was promptly claimed by the Los Angeles Rams. The veteran offensive lineman has displayed the versatility to line up at both right guard and center throughout his career. That fact that won’t likely command a top-market salary next year will make him an enticing option in free agency.
Last year, Blythe inked a $3.9 million contract to stay in Los Angeles. This offseason, he signed a one-year deal worth $990,000 with the Chiefs. The Jaguars could sign him in free agency and have him compete with interior offensive lineman Ben Bartch for the starting job. They could also sign Blythe to a one-year contract and also use a draft pick on a guard prospect.
The bottom line is the Jaguars could sign Blythe next offseason and still have the flexibility to make more additions in either free agency or the draft.
No. 4 guard the Jaguars must target in 2022 free agency – Brandon Scherff
Offensive guard Brandon Scherff could be one of the most coveted free agents in 2022. Teams would have probably given a top-market contract if the Washinton Football Team hadn’t slapped him with the franchise tag.
Scherff has already gotten the tag twice and he won’t likely get a third time, as the Football Team would have to give him a salary bump of 144 percent. He’s making $18 million this season, so they would have to pay him over $30 million for just one year, which is unrealistic. The four-time Pro Bowl sprained his MCL earlier this year and missed four games. However, he’s one of the best guards in the league when healthy and there will be a high demand for his services next offseason.
On the other hand, the Jaguars may need to proceed with caution. They will have the cap space to sign Scherff but he’s missed at least two games in each of the last five seasons, which is something to keep in mind. Why would you pay retail for a player that will spend plenty of time on the sidelines instead of the football field? Still, he’s would be worth every penny if he can manage to stay healthy.
Nobody can predict injuries but the Jaguars can pursue Scherff if they please. It will be interesting to see if they’re willing to roll the dice on him in spite of his injury history.