3 Jacksonville Jaguars free agents who could be forced into retirement in 2024

1. Tyler Shatley, offensive guard

The Jaguars need to revamp the interior offensive line. The center position, in particular, is in need of upgrades but they must also figure out what they'll do at both guard positions. On top of that, they could use better depth up front. The main backup Tyler Shatley has been serviceable but he's not the kind of player you want to thrust into action for an extended period of time.

Shatley, an undrafted free agent in 2014, is the Jaguars' longest-tenured player. He certainly deserves praise for outlasting Gus Bradley, Doug Marrone, and Urban Meyer. Similarly, former general manager Dave Caldwell should get a bit of credit for signing him to the 53-man roster as a rookie. Having said that, the Jaguars should be able to separate his place in the team's lore and his current value.

Out of Shatley's 51 career starts, 36 have come the past five years. He's lined up at all three positions on the interior offensive line but he's played below replacement level. Injuries pressed him into action last year, and he went on to get a significant amount of playing time in eight games. He wasn't particularly great in pass protection, giving up nine total pressures and one sack. He wasn't much better as a run blocker, posting a Pro Football Focus overall grade of 44.6.

Having signed a two-year deal back in 2022, Shatley's now slated to become a free agent, and the Jaguars could use the opportunity to get younger in the trenches. They expect sophomore Cooper Hodges back after he missed last year with a knee injury. Also, the front office may draft one or two offensive linemen, so there may no longer be room for Shatley in Jacksonville.

When you take into account that Shatley is 33, he may have a hard time landing somewhere else if last year was his last with the Jaguars.

Here are more stories from Black & Teal: