5 former Jaguars who will be missed the most in 2022

Roster turnover is inevitable in the NFL due to the salary cap and the draft. Year in and year out, clubs look to improve and the Jacksonville Jaguars are no different. While they were one of the most active and aggressive teams in free agency, they also lost several players.

Even with all the losses the Jags underwent in free agency, their roster currently looks (at least on paper) in better shape than it did last season. Most of the newcomers will go on to fill key roles but that doesn’t make the departure of these five players any less hurtful. In fact, they will be missed in 2022.

No.1 former Jaguars player who will be missed – Andrew Norwell, OG.

The Jaguars made Andrew Norwell the highest-paid guard in the league in 2018, giving him a five-year deal worth $66.5 million. While the amount seemed excessive at the time, it wasn’t particularly shocking when you take into account that he was coming off the first First-Team All-Pro designation of his career. While he never earned another such selection, he was one of the most consistent and arguably the best Jaguars’ offensive linemen over the last few seasons.

Norwell wasn’t among the top guards in the league during his stint in Jacksonville but he generally played well and often posted positive Pro Football Focus pass-blocking grades. In fact, he posted grades of 80.0 or higher in two of his four seasons with the Jaguars while only allowing 12 sacks.

The Urban Meyer debacle was taxing on Jaguars players and Norwell’s performance understandably took a hit late in the season. Nevertheless, he didn’t struggle to find work once he became a free agent and quickly joined the Washinton Commanders and head coach Ron Rivera, whom he played for as a member of the Carolina Panthers from 2014 to 2017.