The Jacksonville Jaguars were committed to fortifying their offensive line in 2022, giving left tackle Cam Robinson a multi-year deal and signing right guard Brandon Scherff in free agency. Looking back, the investment paid off, as Trevor Lawrence enjoyed optimal protection throughout most of the season.
Four of the five Jaguars starting offensive linemen from last year are set to come back in 2023, so there will be a certain level of continuity up front. However, there are three major questions the team’s brass will need to answer in the offseason.
3. Who will be the Jacksonville Jaguars left guard in 2023?
On the surface, this seems like an easy answer. Ben Bartch was their Week 1 starter last year but a knee injury cut his season short. The former St. John Johnny is set to return to the lineup in 2023 but the Jaguars could use their first-round pick on the position.
This might look like an odd decision given that offensive guard isn’t a need for the Jaguars this offseason. However, they could be in a position to pick Florida’s O’Cyrus Torrence at No. 24.
Cornerback and tight end are bigger needs than offensive guard for the Jaguars but general manager Trent Baalke said before last year’s draft that forcing a need sometimes leads to taking a lesser player. Thus, taking an offensive guard in the first or second round shouldn’t be ruled out if there’s a prospect worth taking in the first or even the second round.
Another reason the Jags could take a guard early in the draft is that Bartch is entering a contract year and if he doesn’t figure in the team’s future, they could start looking for his potential replacement one year before he hits the open market.
2. Will Tyler Shatley be a cap casualty for the Jacksonville Jaguars?
The Jaguars are currently cap-strapped and might need to move on from a few players to get under the cap. Cornerback Shaquill Griffin, defensive end Roy Robertson-Harris and safety Rayshawn Jenkins are candidates to be released in the offseason. Another name that isn’t discussed as often is reserve offensive guard Tyler Shatley.
Releasing Shatley would create nearly $3 million in cap space with $500,000 in dead money. The former Clemson Tiger just signed a two-year deal extension last offseason and it wouldn’t make much sense to cut ties with him based on how much he’s played over the last three seasons. In that span, he’s made 30 starts and he’s more than held his own. On the other hand, the Jags will need to look everywhere on the roster for any potential cap savings and Shatley is an appealing option.
The downside of parting ways with Shatley is that he can come off the bench at any time and the Jacksonville offensive line won’t miss a beat. If the Jags have no alternative and need to part ways with the veteran, they will need to look for a potential replacement in the draft. This might not be the best course of action when you take into account that there’s not much depth behind him.
Without Shatley, Blake Hence and Cole Van-Lanen would be next in line if one of the Jaguars’ interior offensive linemen goes down with injuries and neither one is currently an appealing option.
1. How will the Jaguars handle the right tackle situation?
Right tackle Jawaan Taylor is coming off his best season as a pro, giving up just 16 total pressures and five sacks, both career bests. Moreover, his Pro Football Focus blocking grade of 76.4 was the highest he’s posted since the Jags made him a second-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.
Looking back, Taylor peaked at the right time. He’s now slated to become a free agent and the Jaguars might have a hard time retaining him given the limited amount of cap space they’ll have at their disposal in the offseason. The former Florida Gator will have no shortage of suitors if he hits the open market and might be better off changing teams if he wants to maximize his earnings.
It’s hard to project what kind of contract Taylor would get if he becomes a free agent but the four highest-paid right tackles in the league earn an annual average of $17 million or more. A team desperate for offensive line help could give Taylor a contract that averages $17 million per year but one that pays him somewhere between $14 million and $15 million annually seems like a more reasonable outcome.
If Taylor leaves, the Jaguars will most likely plug Walker Little in at right tackle. Little was the team’s top backup offensive lineman last season and fared well in relief of Camp Robinson late in the season.
While Little is a natural fit at left tackle, he had reps on the right side last offseason, so he won’t start from scratch. The fact that he’s shown starting potential and has two years left on his rookie deal should make him a favorite to start at right tackle in 2023.