Should Jaguars consider trading down to draft C Tyler Linderbaum?

Considering the amount of help that the Jacksonville Jaguars need with their offensive line, why not trade down and take Iowa’s Tyler Linderbaum and acquire additional draft capital in the process?

Every great NFL quarterback needs a reliable center, and the best ones have had a true stalwart at the position. Think of Peyton Manning, who had Jeff Saturday for most of his tenure with the Indianapolis Colts. Jaguars signal-caller Trevor Lawrence, who’s been anointed as the savior of the franchise, will need his own Saturday, so to speak. Linderbaum is the next great center prospect and is quickly climbing draft boards.

This could be the potential quarterback-center duo that has evaded the Jaguars for years. Right now, Jacksonville finds itself in the unfortunate circumstance of having the first overall pick in a draft class that has no real consensus top pick. Likewise, being in possession of that first choice allows the Jaguars’ brass to trade down. In effect, they relieve themselves of the pressure of having to nail the first pick and they instead pick up the best interior offensive lineman within the top 25 range.

For example, let’s say the Arizona Cardinals opt to move on from Kyler Murray. This is due to recent developments regarding his contractual status and his scrubbing of everything Cardinals-related from his social media. Arizona is currently choosing at number 23, so they could move up to the first pick and draft Kenny Pickett. Meanwhile, the Jaguars can use the Cardinals’ pick to get Linderbaum — where he’s currently projected to go, according to CBS Sports. In return, they get more draft picks.

Again, this is just one scenario. Anything can happen on draft night, and the Jaguars’ trading down is a much more plausible scenario than people might think. Regardless, let’s see who this center is that the Jaguars could certainly use in their long-term planning.