Jaguars have tough choice to make with Cam Robinson in 2022

Left tackle Cam Robinson is set to become a free agent next offseason and the Jacksonville Jaguars need to decide if they want to re-sign him. If they don’t, drafting Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal becomes an alternative.

Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report recently went over 2022 draft questions for every NFL team and he weighed in on the Jags’ left tackle situation. Knox points out that Jacksonville will likely have the first overall pick in next year’s draft and believes they could use it to take Neal, the top offensive tackle prospect. On the other hand, bringing Robinson back is also a possibility based on how he’s played this season.

"Keith Sanchez of the Draft Network compared Neal to Pro Bowl tackle Orlando Brown Jr., and Trevor Lawrence could do worse than having Brown on his blind side. However, before Jacksonville thinks seriously about taking a tackle No. 1 overall, it must first determine whether Cam Robinson will be back long-term."

Knox acknowledges that Robinson has been “consistently good” in 2021, committing just five penalties and allowing just one sack in 856 offensive snaps. Moreover, his Pro Football Focus overall grade of 67.1 this season is the highest in his five-year career. Keeping Trevor Lawrence healthy will be one of the Jacksonville Jaguars’ biggest priorities next offseason and Robinson has done a good job protecting him, so it would make sense to keep him around.

Giving Cam Robinson a long-term contract gives the Jaguars flexibility.

The Jaguars won’t be hurting for cap space next offseason, as they’re slated to have around $71 million, per Spotrac, and there are different ways they could use it. If they’re pleased with Robinson’s performance and want to keep him, they’re better off giving him a long-term deal rather than applying the franchise tag on him for the second consecutive year. The tag for offensive linemen this year cost $13.7 million, which is the amount Robinson got. A second tag would be $16.4 million.

So let’s say, the Jags lock up Robinson. Spotract projects the left tackle will get a four-year contract worth $45.5 million ($11.3 million average per year) next offseason. The front office could offer him a bit more (around $14 million – $15 million per year) and they would still have enough cap space to make other moves in free agency. They could also use the top pick on an edge rusher to pair with outside linebacker Josh Allen. Also, they could kick the tires on offensive tackle Walker Little at right tackle.

On the other hand, the Jags could move on from Robinson in the offseason and still have options. They could plug in Little at left tackle or draft Neal with the top pick. They could then use the money they would have spent on Robinson to address other positions, such as wide receiver or right guard, in free agency.

Drafting Neal would be a solid move but signing Robinson to a long-term contract also makes sense. It will be up to the Jaguars to decide how they want to use their cap space and draft picks. Fortunately, they will have choices.