The Jacksonville Jaguars didn't make many major additions to the offensive line in the offseason because most of their group from 2025 is back. That said, the coaching staff will have virtually everyone compete for jobs. That will give a veteran hog molly, in particular, a chance to rebuild his stock.
Left tackle Walker Little signed a three-year deal worth $40 million in 2024. He was the Week 1 starter last season but struggled down the stretch and was eventually benched in favor of Cole Van Lanen. That made Little the subject of trade chatter, but he remains on the roster, partially because Van Lanen is recovering from a knee injury he suffered late in 2025.
While Van Lanen recovers, Little should get plenty of reps at left tackle. That will give him a prime opportunity to bounce back.
Walker Little needs to show out at Jaguars OTAs
The Jaguars have been tight-lipped about Cole Van Lanen's injury. So it's hard to tell from an outside perspective just how serious it is. With that in mind, he probably won't be at full strength for Organized Team Activities. This paves the way for Walker Little to stick around in Jacksonville.
And that's the thing, Little would have been a trade candidate if it weren't for the fact that he offers insurance while Van Lanen recovers. On the other hand, he's coming off an unremarkable season, so his value isn't that high.
Rightly, the team's brass is keeping Little around, with the expectation that he can bounce back but also line up at left tackle in case Van Lanen isn't 100 percent. Having said that, the former Stafford Cardinal can't rest on his laurels.
Walker Little must prove he's still valuable for the Jaguars at OTAs
Before Walker Little, a second-round pick in 2022, became the full-time starter in 2024, he had previously flashed talent and even played better than Cam Robinson at times. This is a long-winded way to say that maybe last year was an outlier, but he'll need to prove it. But he'll do it while he looks over his shoulder.
While the Jaguars didn't bring in any linemen aside from rookie Emmanuel Pregnon, sophomore Wyatt Milum is back in the mix after missing time early in 2025 with a knee injury. The former West Virginia Mountaineer made a strong impression before he got hurt last year. He was expected to make the transition to left guard but could play left tackle if needed.
Given that the Jaguars like to rotate their offensive linemen to prepare them in case the injury bug strikes, it won't be shocking if Milum gets reps at left tackle at Organized Team Activities. He could move up the depth chart or earn more reps if Little falters.
This is why it will be pivotal for Walker Little to make the most out of his opportunities at OTAs. If he does, he could stay in Duval next season. And if he does, he will have rebuilt his stock.
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