The Jacksonville Jaguars have begun a roster overhaul, moving on from several long-time contributors days ahead of free agency. However, they're also keeping one crucial depth piece in 2025.
Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap reports that the Jags gave offensive lineman Cole Van Lanen an original round tender. It's a matter of time before the team announces the move.
The original round tender allows other teams to make an offer, and if the Jags don't match it, they'll receive compensation. This year's original tender is $3.1 million.
Van Lanen was a restricted free agent because he didn't accrued the four seasons required to be a restricted free agent. This happened because as a rookie, he only appeared in one game. You need at least six on the active roster to get an accrued season credited.
A sixth-round pick by the Green Bay Packers in the 2021 draft, Van Lanen landed with the Jags via trade before the start of the 2022 regular season. An offensive tackle at Wisconsin, the former Badger moved to guard in the NFL. However, he switched back to offensive tackle in Jacksonville.
Last year, Van Lanen filled in for Walker Little at left tackle and played 187 offensive snaps. He also lined up on the right side on 60 snaps. In 2025, he'll probably be the team's primary swing tackle.
Van Lanen is the first player the Jaguars are re-signing ahead of free agency. Just recently, they traded Christian Kirk to the Houston Texans and released cornerback Ronald Darby, wide receiver Josh Reynolds, tight end Evan Engram, and cornerback Devin Duvernay.
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Re-signing Cole Van Lanen allows the Jaguars to focus on the interior O-Line
Bringing back Cole Van Lanen gives the Jaguars insurance at offensive tackle. He's already proven that he can fill in for either Walker Little or Anton Harrison last year, so giving him the one-year tender makes sense. This is especially true when you consider that 2024 fourth-round pick Javon Foster was a healthy scratch throughout most of his rookie season.
Moreover, re-signing Cole Van Lanen allows the Jaguars to fully turn their attention to the interior offensive line. Center Mitch Morse just announced his retirement, and right guard Brandon Scherff is slated to hit the open market. Couple that with offensive lineman Blake Hance expected to leave, and the team's brass will need to revamp the interior offensive line.
Aside from two starters, the Jaguars will need to add depth. Third-year pro Cooper Hodges is still around, but has suffered season-ending injuries in consecutive years and isn't probably counted on to contribute right now. Maybe the Jags could add a starting guard or a center in free agency and take care of the rest in the draft.
Either way, re-signing Cole Van Lanen comes in handy in a year in which the Jaguars have too many holes on the offensive line.