The Jacksonville Jaguars must feel great about their depth at offensive tackle heading into the 2024 season. They have a pair of dependable starters in Walker Little and Cam Robinson but also have a capable backup in Walker Little. If that wasn't enough, the front office used a fourth-round pick on Javon Foster in this past draft. Due to the surplus at the position, the Jags could trade one of their tackles.
Harrison wouldn't be a likely candidate, though. He flashed as a rookie and got better as the 2023 season progressed. Similarly, Foster just landed in Jacksonville, so it's hard to see the team's brass move on from him less than a year after acquiring him. That leaves Robinson and Little as the most likely candidates.
Robinson would make sense because he's entering the last year of the $54 million contract he signed in 2022, and moving on from him would create $17 million in space. Then again, it looks like the Jags aren't interested in shipping him unless they get an offer they like. Head coach Doug Pederson expects the Alabama product to be on the roster next season. General manager Trent Baalke echoed that sentiment.
Maybe a team that suffers an injury at left tackle during the offseason will be desperate enough to meet the Jags' asking price. Having said that, Little could garner more interest if he's placed on the trade block. For one, he's younger than Robinson. Moreover, he's set to make a base salary of $1.5 million in 2024, whereas his veteran counterpart is slated to make $16.25 million.
Moreover, Little is no slouch. A second-round pick in 2024, he flashed as a rookie and started six games (including two in the playoffs) to end 2022. The Texans native then filled in for Robinson to start the 2023 season. He went on to allow just five total pressures and one sack in four starts.
It's fair to say that Little would be bargain for whichever teams trades for him. So who are the most likely suitors? Here are three who come to mind.
Trade destination for Jaguars OT Walker Little: Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs aren't afraid to recruit former Jaguars. Just last year, they signed right tackle Jawaan Taylor to a four-year deal worth $80 million. Just before the start of the regular season, they claimed tight end Gerrit Prince off waivers. Heck, they even hired their defensive coordinator in 2021, Joe Cullen, to coach their defensive line in 2022.
This is to say that if there's one team that could inquire about Walker Little, it would be the Chiefs. And that's the thing. They may need help at offensive tackle. They let Donovan Smith walk in the offseason and their in-house options aren't particularly appealing. They took Kingsly Suamatia in the second round of this past draft but he's an unknown commodity at this stage of his career.
The alternatives are Wanya Morris and Lucas Niang, and neither inspires confidence. That's why trading for Little would make sense. Little would bring stability at left tackle. It would also allow Kansas City to bring Saumatia slowly.
When you take into account that the Kansas City Chiefs aren't afraid to make a move they think will help them return to the Super Bowl, they become a realistic landing spot for Walker Little.
Trade destination for Jaguars OT Walker Little: Las Vegas Raiders
The one reason teams may be inclined to trade for Walker Little instead of Cam Robinson is his flexibility to play on both offensive line spots. While he's a natural left tackle, the former Stanford Cardinal competed with Jawaan Taylor for the right tackle job in 2022. He ended up losing but that was mostly because that was his first time lining up on the right side.
Little took things to the wire, and it's fair to assume that he would've beaten Taylor if he had more experience at right tackle. He could get that chance with the Las Vegas Raiders. While Kolton Miller gives them stability at left tackle, the right side of the offensive trenches is a work in progress.
Las Vegas expects veteran Andrus Peat, who signed in May, to line up at right tackle but he hasn't taken a snap there since 2018. The truth is that the Raiders would be better off trading for Little and leaving Peat at either guard spot.
Trade destination for Jaguars OT Walker Little: Seattle Seahawks
One team that could benefit from Walker Little's versatility is the Seattle Seahawks. Right now, Charles Cross is the incumbent at left tackle. He's made strides since the Hawks made him the ninth overall selection in the 2022 Draft. He should keep improving next season but Little would provide insurance in case he gets hurt.
Having said that, Seattle may need Little more at right tackle. Abraham Lucas regressed in 2022 after flashing the year before. Compounding the issue is that he's dealing with a knee injury that could force him to miss time. To protect themselves, they signed a familiar face in George Fant. However, Little is a much better player.
One thing that could incentivize the Seattle or any other club to trade for Little is that he hasn't had any major injuries in the NFL. Granted, he tore his ACL in 2019 but that was nearly five years ago. Other than than, he's had mostly a clean bill of health in Jacksonville.
Trade destination for Jaguars OT Walker Little: New England Patriots
While the Seahawks and Las Vegas could use Little at right tackle, he would be an enticing option at left tackle for the New England Patriots. Trent Brown walked in free agency, and they haven't properly filled the void he left.
Maybe the Pats could move rookie Caedan Wallace to left tackle, but it's hard to tell if he'll be able to make the transition after mostly lining up on the right side at Penn State. Little could come in and start right out of the gate. An added benefit of trading for him is that Wallace could learn behind him.
New England may first want to see how the former Nittany Lion fares in training camp, but if he struggles, they shouldn't hesitate to get in touch with the Jaguars.