The Jacksonville Jaguars spent the last few days making additions to most positional groups and their offensive line has been no exception. Just before free agency, the Jags used the franchise tag on left tackle Cam Robinson and they later signed offensive guard Brandon Scherff to a massive deal. On the other hand, they may need to replace long-time center Brandon Linder, who could either retire or get released.
A third-round pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, Linder has played for three different head coaches — Gus Bradley, Doug Marrone, and Urban Meyer. He’s one of the few difference-makers on the Jaguars’ roster over the last few years but injuries have taken a toll on him and is one of the reasons why he could walk away from football, according to Mark Long of the Associated Press.
If Linder doesn’t retire the Jaguars’ brass could release him, which would create almost $10 million in cap space with no dead money. If that’s the course of action the team’s brass decide to take, they will need to replace the veteran center. Here are three players that could take his place in the starting lineup in 2022.
No. 1 player who can replace Jaguars C Brandon Linder – Tyler Shatley.
Maybe Bradon Linder’s replacement is already on the roster. Interior offensive lineman Tyler Shatley got a two-year deal to return to Jacksonville and he could get the first crack at center. After all, he isn’t strange to the position, having started 18 games over the last two seasons. In fact, he’s got as many starts as Linden in the same period of time.
After going undrafted in 2014, Shatley signed with the Jaguars and things have worked pretty well for him. He’s also proven to be pretty durable, having not missed a game since 2016.
No. 2 player who can replace Jaguars C Brandon Linder – JC Tretter.
The Cleveland Browns were determined to acquire quarterback Deshaun Watson and ultimately outbid the Atlanta Falcons, the Carolina Panthers, and the New Orleans Saints for his services. However, that’s not the only meaningful transition they’ve made over the last few days.
Although it didn’t garner much attention as the Deshaun Watson trade, the Browns also released long-time center JC. Tretter. The move made sense financially, given that they got more than $8 million in cap space with less than $2 million in dead money. Even though he no longer had a future in Cleveland, he should have plenty of demand for his services even though the first wave of free agency has already come and gone. In fact, the Minnesota Vikings are reportedly interested in his services and could be in play for him.
At this moment, it doesn’t look like the Jaguars will pursue Tretter but they should revisit their position consider signing him. A fourth-round selection in the 2013 NFL Draft, the Cornell product has started 80 games over the last five seasons and has posted Pro Football Focus’ pass-blocking grades of 80.0 or higher in that span. Last season, he allowed just one sack, one hit, and 10 total pressures on 587 pass-blocking snaps. The Jaguars would certainly like to have that kind of performance at center.
Jacksonville currently has around $14 million in cap space and although they would need to get creative, they should have no trouble making Tretter a competitive offer.
No. 2 player who can replace Jaguars C Brandon Linder – Dohnovan West.
Despite the fact that the Jaguars tagged Cam Robinson, they could still use an early-round draft pick on an offensive lineman but instead of taking a left tackle, they could select a center. They currently have picks No. 1, 33, 65, and 70, which they got from the Carolina Panthers in exchange for cornerback C.J. Henderson last year.
The truth is that taking a center with the top overall pick might not be an appealing option and the top-rated prospect at the position, Tyler Linderbaugh will most likely be gone by the time the Jaguars are on the clock in the second round. However, there should be a few prospects available and one that makes sense is Dohnovan West, who could still be on the board in the third round.
The former Arizona State Sun Devil made 12 starts at center in 2021. West has the burst and quickness to play the position in the NFL. Moreover, he also lined up at both guard spots in college. On the other hand, he doesn’t have the ideal size and bulk. Kendrick Green of the Bleacher Report Scouting Department believes West will need a coaching staff that “can help him in certain matchups” but thinks that he can turn into a starter in the right situation.
The Jags will most likely take Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson with the No. 1 pick and there’s a good chance they will go wide receiver in the second. If they want to use one of their two third-round pick on a center, they should then consider taking West.