The Jacksonville Jaguars were routinely pushed around at the line of scrimmage last year. That's why it wasn't particularly shocking to see them spare no expense to beef up the offensive line in the offseason. The Jags could have as many as three new starters in 2025, which is great news for Trevor Lawrence, who'll now have ample time to drop back. On the other hand, a veteran could see himself affected.
Rookie Wyatt Milum has been showered with praise in the offseason. Expected to move from left tackle to guard, the former West Virginia Mountaineer has the tools to potentially start as a rookie. Head coach Liam Coen had nothing but good things to say about him during the offseason program:
"He's a big dude... the way the guy plays, the toughness," Coend said via Garry Smits of the Florida Times-Union. "He's rooted in that. That's kind of what he prides himself on being, and that's what he is kind of known for around that building is being a guy that finishes, that plays the game the right way, that approaches it the right way."
This wasn't the only instance of Coen speaking highly of Milum. He also made positive remarks about him at rookie minicamp. On the other hand, veteran Ezra Cleveland must be feeling the heat after the arrival of his rookie counterpart.
A second-round pick by the Minnesota Vikings in 2022, Cleveland was traded to Jacksonville at the midpoint of the 2023 season. Unfortunately, injuries hampered his performance, and he wasn't able to make an impact. Nevertheless, former general manager Trent Baalke showed confidence in him when he gave him a three-year deal worth $24 million last offseason.
The former Boise State Bronco improved in 2025 but not nearly enough to justify his pay rate. With Milum now in the mix, he'll probably need to compete to keep his starting job.
Why the Jaguars may choose Wyatt Milum over Ezra Cleveland
The new regime inherited Ezra Cleveland, and one thing general manager James Gladstone has shown throughout his stint with the Jacksonville Jaguars is that he's not afraid to cut ties with underperforming players his predecessor, Trent Baalke, brougth in. Such was the case with wide receiver Gabe Davis and Christian Kirk, who got kicked to the curb in the offseason. Cleveland could be next.
The Jags appear to be high on Milum. In fact, senior correspondent Brian Sexton of the team's official website believes he could make Cleveland expendable before the regular season. Of course, the top brass won't move on from Cleveland if Milum isn't ready, but if the rookie shows the toughness he's been praised for, Jacksonville may not hesitate to give him the starting job, so he can get as many reps as possible in preparation for the opener against the Carolina Panthers.
And that's the thing: if Cleveland doesn't figure in the team's long-term plans, what's the point of keeping him around and using a roster spot that could go to a more deserving player? Now, it's not a given that the Jaguars will trade or cut Ezra Cleveland, but he must surely be feeling the heat Wyatt Milum brought in.