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.
No. 2 replacement for Jacksonville Jaguars RT Jawaan Taylor: Kelvin Beachum
Jawaan Taylor will be one of the top right tackle options in the open market if he doesn’t strike a multi-year contract with the Jaguars. You could argue that. Mike McGlinchey (San Francisco 49ers) is better and nobody will bat an eye, but how much better is he? The same is true for Kaleb McGary, who is also coming off a remarkable season.
If the Jaguars can’t afford to pay Taylor, it wouldn’t make sense to pursue either McGlinchey or McGary. Instead, they should turn their attention to Kelvin Beachum, who won’t be nearly as coveted in the open market but is still a more than adequate option at right tackle.
This wouldn’t be Beachum’s first stint in Jacksonville though. A seventh-round pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2012, the former SMU Mustang joined the Jaguars in 2016. He spent the next three seasons with the New York Jets and joined the Arizona Cardinals in 2020.
Beachum played left tackle for the Jaguars but he’s shown he’s better suited to play right tackle. Last season, he allowed five sacks (as many as Taylor) and earned a Pro Football Focus overall grade of 70.6. He’s still going strong and hasn’t shown significant signs of decline at 33.
The only thing in Beachum’s game that could scare away potential suitors is his struggles as a run blocker but Taylor wasn’t particularly great in that area either. Moreover, it wouldn’t be cost-prohibitive for the Jaguars to sign him. He inked a two-year contract worth $4 million in 2021 and should get a similar deal again.
No. 1 replacement for Jacksonville Jaguars RT Jawaan Taylor: George Fant
George Fant is a pretty good offensive tackle but he missed significant playing time in 2022, which is the last thing any player entering a contract year like himself wants. For starters, not being able to suit up limits their opportunity to put on display their skills. Second, potential suitors will question their ability to stay healthy, especially if they’ve suffered other injuries in previous years.
An undrafted free agent in 2016, Fant spent four seasons with the Seattle Seahawks before signing a three-year deal worth $27.3 million in 2020. He’s played well whenever he’s available, allowing 30 total pressures or more in a season just once since 2016.
Similarly, Fant has given up just 13 sacks over the last five years. On the other hand, his inability to stay healthy could be a cause for concern. A torn ACL wiped out his entire 2017 season and he missed nine games with a knee injury last year.
All in all, Fant has missed 29 games over the last five seasons, so it’s hard to envision him getting a top-market contract even though he can line up at both left and right tackle. Having said that, the Jaguars could potentially give him a one-year deal and have him compete with Walker Little for the starting job.
If Fant beats Little, the team’s brass could then look for an upgrade next offseason. If Little wins, Fant would provide insurance in case either Little or left tackle Cam Robinson misses time.