When the Jacksonville Jaguars gave Walker Little a three-year extension worth $40.5 million in 2024, they thought they had found the long-term answer at left tackle. And for a brief moment, that seemed to be the case. After replacing Cam Robinson as Trevor Lawrence's blindside protector, Little more than held his own the remainder of 2024. Expected to build off his strong finish, he instead struggled. And by the end of the year, he was benched in favor of Cole Van Lanen.
Fast forward to 2026, and Little has been the subject of trade talks. Similarly, he's emerged as a cut candidate on a recent list.
The Jaguars are being urged to cut ties with Walker Little
Maurice Moton of Bleacher Report drew up a list of 10 NFL players who could be immediately traded or released after the NFL Draft. He included Walker Little, pointing out that the Jags could afford to trade him with Cole Van Lanen slated to play left tackle.
"The Jacksonville Jaguars have already put the writing on the wall for Walker Little's exit," Moton wrote. "He lost his starting job at left tackle to Cole Van Lanen, who signed a three-year, $51 million extension in January."
Moton continued, "The Jaguars have Little on their books at $14.5 million, including $11 million in guaranteed money. He would be a non-expensive backup if Jacksonville retains him for the year. Little has 39 career starts at a premium position. The Jaguars should be able to get a decent return for him if he's on the trade block."
Trading Little after June 1st would free up nearly $12 million in space but leave dead cap hits of $2.5 million and $4.6 million in 2026 and 2027, respectively. Perhaps Jacksonville could get a late-round pick in return for him, possibly a fifth or a sixth.
A second-round pick in 2021, Little only started six games in his first two seasons and filled in for Cam Robinson for four games in 2023 while he served a suspension for PEDs. The Texas native would also play guard, but never really got a full-time role until Jacksonville traded Robinson at the 2024 deadline.
Little opened the 2025 season as the starting left tackle, but he struggled, giving up nine pressures and 50 total pressures. The coaching staff eventually benched him in favor of Van Lanen. Although Little later played right guard in relief of Patrick Mekari, he didn't fare particularly well.
When you add the fact that Van Lanen just got an extension, Little could be shown the door in 2026. However, the Jaguars have yet to cut ties with him, and there's an obvious reason why.
Walker Little gives the Jaguars insurance while Cole Van Lanen recovers from a knee injury
Late in 2025, Van Lanen suffered a knee injury. While the team's brass says he's ahead of schedule, he may not be at full strength by the offseason workouts. Knowing that, it's easy to see why the Jaguars are holding onto Walker Little.
If Van Lanen doesn't show enough progress by training camp, having Little around could come in handy. He was underwhelming last year, but could always bounce back. Of course, he's far from the only option Jacksonville has at left tackle.
Sophomore Wyatt Milum could make the move to left guard, but he played left tackle at West Virginia. The former Mountaineer could compete for snaps. Another option would be for the Jaguars to invest a draft pick on a blindside protector in the early rounds. This is doable after trading for defensive tackle Ruko Orhorhoro. Having taken care of the interior trenches, the Jags could bolster another position group. Chase Bisontis or Gennings Dunker would make sense at No. 56.
If the Jaguars do draft an offensive tackle, trading Walker Little becomes a legitimate outcome. But if they don't, he gives them insurance. Either way, the Jags will surely want to keep their options open.
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