3 potential replacements for Jacksonville Jaguars RT Jawaan Taylor in 2023 free agency
Defensive coordinators will nowadays move their pass rushers around in order to find favorable matchups, which is why right tackles have seen their value increase considerably in recent years. The Jacksonville Jaguars had a pretty good one in Jawaan Taylor last season but he’s now set to become a free agent.
A second-round selection in the 2019 NFL Draft, Taylor has made 66 consecutive starts for the Jags over the last four years. That kind of availability will make him a hot commodity in the open market but even if he had missed a few games, he would still be in high demand based on how much he improved last season.
The former Florida Gator posted a Pro Football Focus pass-blocking grade of 76.4 in 2022, the highest in his NFL career. Similarly, he allowed a career-best 16 total pressures after averaging 34 the previous three years.
Taylor said after the 2022 season that he would return to Jacksonville but given the Jaguars’ precarious cap shape, it might be hard to bring him back. If he walks away in the offseason and the team’s brass isn’t fully sold on Walker Little, here are three players the Jaguars could sign in free agency to replace him.
No. 3 replacement for Jacksonville Jaguars RT Jawaan Taylor: Jermaine Eleumunor
A fifth-round pick by the Baltimore Ravens in 2017, Jermaine Eleumunor spent time with the New England Patriots before joining the Las Vegas Raiders in 2021. He didn’t get much playing time in his first season with the Silver and Black, starting three games and playing 28 percent of the offensive snaps.
However, things change last year, as Eleumunor ended up starting all 17 games. While he allowed two sacks in the first two contests, he gave up just one the rest of the way and finished the season with a 75.3 PFF overall grade.
Eleumunor’s only negative might be that he was flagged a team-high 10 times in 2022. Then again, it was his first full season as a starter, and there’s a good chance he can bring that number now.
All things considered, Eleumunor might be a low-key solid option in free agency for teams that are looking for a starting right tackle but don’t want to pay a premium at the position. While there will probably be better players in the open market, Eleumunor could fit the Jacksonville Jaguars’ budget.