The Jacksonville Jaguars are planning to bring back Cam Robinson in 2024. Head coach Doug Pederson and general manager Trent Baalke, separately, said so at the NFL Scouting Combine. This isn't necessarily a bad thing when you consider that the Jags did a much better job of protecting Trevor Lawrence when Robinson was in the lineup. However, it casts doubt on Walker Little's future with the team.
Little, a second-round pick in 2021, hardly played as a rookie but he flashed when called upon. Near the end of the 2022 season, he filled in for Robinson when he had a meniscus injury and fared well. He then made four starts to begin the 2023 season while Robinson served a suspension for violations to the league's PED policy.
Simply put, Little deserves to chance to prove he's the long-term answer for the Jaguars, and here are three reasons he should.
3. Walker Little will cost less than Cam Robinson in 2024
One of the reasons there has been speculation surrounding Cam Robinson the past few months is that he's set to have a cap hit of $22.1 million in 2024. However, the Jags could free up $17.2 million with $3.8 million if they release him.
For the sake of argument, let's say that the Jaguars don't mind keeping Robinson in 2024 at his current salary. As good as he's been, he's never been a Pro Bowl-caliber player. Sure, his feisty attitude gives the offensive line an edge, but are the Jaguars really willing to pay an above-average left tackle top-market money? They already did the past two years, but if they want to free up cap space, they should then move on from Robinson and go with Little
Little is set to make $2.4 million in 2024, significantly less than Robinson. The Jags could easily roll with Little, release Robinson, and use the savings to address other positions. How's that not a win-win situation?
2. Cam Robinson could net the Jaguars a mid-round pick
As noted before, Cam Robinson is an above-average tackle. If the Jaguars didn't have any other options at the position, they should most definitely let him play out his contract. After a slow start to his NFL career, the former Alabama product has gotten much better and become a mainstay of the offensive line. The past three years, he's given up a combined eight sacks, that's as many as the ones he allowed in 2019. Similarly, his number of total pressures surrendered has gone down considerably.
Simply put, Robinson is a capable player but the Jaguars have an in-house replacement in Little. Heck, they could even move sophomore Anton Harrison to left tackle if they wanted to. Given that they have options at tackle, it's fair to wonder why they don't put Robinson on the trade block.
Maybe that's why the team's brass says they want to keep Robinson, to drive up his price. But leaving aside their intentions, there are a handful of teams that would waste no time acquiring the former second-round pick. The Dallas Cowboys aren't sure if Tyron Smith will return for his 14th season with the team. Something similar is happening with the Miami Dolphins.
Two years after joining the Phins, veteran Terron Armstead is considering retirement. If he steps away, they will need a replacement. On the other hand, clubs such as the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Kansas City Chiefs could also use a player of Robinson's caliber. Maybe he's not a top-notch left tackle but he's a proven commodity.
When you take Robinson's talent level and salary into account, the Jaguars could easily get a third-round pick if they were willing to listen to offers. So on top of getting cap relief, they could also get ammo in the draft.
1. If Walker Little isn't the solution, the Jaguars can move on in 2025
The Jaguars could give Cam Robinson an extension and move some of his salary to future years. The trouble with that approach is that they would pass on the chance to see what they have in Walker Little. Entering the last year of his rookie deal, Little hasn't had a consistent role in Jacksonville. He competed with Jawaan Taylor for the right tackle job in 2022 but he's mostly served as the team's swing tackle (and left guard at times).
By moving on from Robinson, the Jags can pave the way for Little to see what he can do. They could give him a one-year tryout and see if he's the long-term answer at the position. He's done enough to make you think he is, so why not give him a chance?
While Little struggled with injuries in the second half of the 2023 campaign, he held his own when he filled in for Robinson during his suspension, giving up just five total pressures and one sack in four games. If you project that into a full season, that's around 20 pressures and four sacks.
The worst that can happen is that he'll be not much better than Robinson, and if that's the case, the front office can then look for a potential replacement in next year's draft. On the other hand, left tackle won't be a need if Little does prove to be the long-term answer. That would allow the front office to fill other holes next offseason.
However you look at it, the Jaguars have little (no pun intended) to lose if they go with Walker Little in 2024. They may ultimately go with Cam Robinson but they should at least give it a thought.