Jaguars OG Brandon Scherff pops up on list of potential 2022 busts

Getting Trevor Lawrence better protection up front was one of the Jacksonville Jaguars’ biggest priorities this offseason, so it wasn’t shocking to see them adopt an aggressive approach in free agency and locked up Brandon Scherff, one of the top interior linemen in the whole league. But even though Scheff will be an immediate upgrade in the Jags’ offensive line, Alex Kay of Bleacher Report believes that signing the five-time Pro Bowl nod might not work out.

Kay recently drew up a list of players who could turn out to be busts, one for each NFL team, in the 2022 season and Scheff’s name popped up. Kay’s biggest reason for picking the former Iowa Hawkeye is his availability or lack thereof throughout his NFL career.

"The Jacksonville Jaguars brought Scherff in to shore up the offensive trenches with the knowledge that the 30-year-old isn’t likely to suit up for all 17 games. He hasn’t played a full campaign since his sophomore year in 2016 and miss five or more games in two of the last three seasons.While he still made the Pro Bowl in five of the last six seasons and commanded nearly $50 million on a three-year deal, don’t be surprised if Scherff is sidelined for a significant stretch again in 2022."

Kay goes on to say that landing Scherff “may have been worth the risk” but thinks that there’s a chance it will have been a signing if he isn’t unavailable for an extended period of time.

The Jaguars are aware Brandon Scherff might miss time with injuries

You can make anything sound bad if you spend the whole day shuffling words but saying that Scherff could be a bust if he goes down with injuries feels like a stretch. It’s true that the former Washington Commander hasn’t managed to stay healthy and has missed 24 games over the last five years but the Jaguars knew this when they signed him.

There’s a legitimate chance Scherff will miss time given that he hasn’t played a full season since 2016. Having said that, missing two or three games isn’t the same as missing ten. Ideally, he won’t have to sit out any contests in 2022 but the Jags will be pleased if he’s only out for three, as he did in 2020.

And if Scherff does have to miss a few games, the Jaguars have an adequate replacement in Will Richardson Jr., who is listed as an offensive tackle but has previously lined up inside. In fact, last season, he played 123 snaps at right guard.

The Jaguars showed this offseason they’re committed to giving Trevor Lawrence the best possible supporting cast and there’s no doubt Scherff gives the offensive line a massive boost, even if he’s out for a few games.