Jaguars could use some help in the offensive trenches, their safety room is fine

The Jacksonville Jaguars have put together a well-rounded team but their offensive line could use some help in light of the rash of injuries they've experienced. The Bleacher Report staff agrees but doesn't offer any short-term fixes and instead suggests they address the need in the 2024 NFL Draft.

The B/R staff report made a list of the Jags' biggest needs following their statement win over the Indianapolis Colts. They put the interior offensive line at the top, and bring up Georgia's offensive guard Tate Ratledge as a potential solution in 2024.

"The Jaguars need to continue to beef up the interior of the offensive line. Using a pick in next year's draft on Tate Ratledge would be a good start. Ratledge showed up to Athens as a tackle prospect, but the 6'6", 310-pounder has moved to guard where he still plays with good enough leverage to handle SEC interior defenders."

While Ratledge is a fine prospect, one who could go in the first round of the 2024 draft, the Jags need help in the trenches right now, not one year from now. Injuries are testing their depth up front and it's hard to tell how many more they can withstand. Walker Little, who moved inside when Cam Robinson returned from his suspension, will miss a handful of weeks with an MCL injury. Right tackle Brandon Scherff hurt his ankle in Week 6 and is questionable for Thursday Night Football.

For the time being, the Jags are rolling with veteran Tyler Shatley at left guard and either Ben Bartch or Cole Van Lanen could line up on the right side if Scherff has to sit out a few games. Maybe Jacksonville could trade for someone like Cleveland Browns guard Ezra Cleveland but they'll most likely wait for Little and Scherff to get healthy.

The Jaguars O-Line needs reinforcements, their safety room not so much

The interior offensive line wasn't the only position group Bleacher Report says is in need of upgrades. They also think the Jaguars need to bolster their safety room, their pass rush, and the interior defensive line.

The Jacksonville pass rush could use some help but they just got back Dawuane Smoot, who rounds out a rotation that already includes Josh Allen and Travon Walker. On top of that, defensive end DaVon Hamilton is close to returning from a non-football injury he suffered in the preseason.

Minnesota Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter has emerged as a potential trade target. He would give a huge boost to the Jaguars' pass rush but acquiring him isn't a must. On the other hand, the safety room is just fine.

Jacksonville has a pair of dynamic starters in Rayshawn Jenkins and Andre Cisco. Both of them have already registered three interceptions and if either one needs to miss time, team captain Andrew Wingard can come off the bench at any time. This begs the question, do the Jaguars need help? They could certainly make a few moves at a handful of position groups but they don't need to in order to remain competitive.

The Jacksonville Jaguars spent the last three years building their current roster. While it isn't perfect, it's been good enough to help them go 4-2 in the first six weeks of the 2023 season.

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