Jaguars OL Walker Little’s transition to right side ‘coming together well’

Offensive tackle Walker Little didn’t play much in his rookie season but the Jacksonville Jaguars are giving him the chance to compete for the starting job at right tackle in 2022. Although Little has mostly lined up on the left side throughout his football career, he says his switch to the right is going well.

Little recently had a conversation with Hays Carlyon of 1010 XL and touched on several topics, including the hurdles he faced in his rookie campaign, his relationship with the coaching staff, and his move to right tackle. The former Stanford Cardinal says the period of acclimation to the NFL is always tough.

"Rookie year is always difficult coming in, new city, new team. The transition to the NFL, there’s always kind of ups and downs. This year, I feel like a lot more comfortable, Just have a routine and groove through it all, and just learn to get better each and every day and I have great coaches that have helped me along the way."

Regarding his move to right tackle, Little notes that it’s coming together well, “being able to use to my other teammates to help me out as well with the coaches. Getting reps is the biggest thing”. Later in the conversation, the sophomore offensive tackle said he wouldn’t have trouble playing left tackle if necessary, as it’s “sort of a natural position” for him”. Here’s Little’s whole exchange with Carlyon.

Walker Little may end up becoming a mainstay in the Jaguars offensive line

The Jaguars drafted Little 45th overall last year but they also applied the franchise tag on Cam Robinson, which made it hard to predict what they planned to do at left tackle. At the time, it seemed like having both players compete for the starting job was a possibility. Ultimately, Robinson got the nod and Little hardly saw the field. Nevertheless, he showed flashes he got his chance.

Little ended up making three starts at left tackle last year and while he allowed two sacks in the first one, he didn’t give up any in the next two. However, the Jaguars’ brass brought Cam Robinson back on a three-year deal worth $54 million. This prompted the coaching staff to have Little compete with incumbent Jawaan Taylor for the right tackle job.

Although Taylor entered training camp with an edge in the battle, he’s been out with a hamstring injury. This has in turn paved the way for the second-year pro to make ground and increase his chances of seizing the starting job. Having said that, Taylor could return soon, so Little has to keep making strides in the upcoming games.

If Little ends up winning the right tackle job and makes a leap alongside Trevor Lawrence and running back Travis Etienne, the Jaguars’ 2021 draft class could turn out to be pretty good.