Jaguars urged to cut ties with 2022 NFL Draft disappointment

It's not hyperbole to say that third-year center Luke Fortner has left much to be desired. After flashing in his rookie season, the former Kentucky Wildcat has taken several steps back. This has led Devid Kenyon of Bleacher Report to conclude that it's time for the Jacksonville Jaguars to pull the plug on him.

Kenyon drew up a list of players each NFL team needs to release after Week 3 of the 2024 NFL Preseason, and included Fortner, pointing out that there may not be a place for him in Jacksonville with veteran Mitch Morse in the fold.

"Rarely does a player go from an every-game starter to an expendable backup in a single offseason, but Luke Fortner is dangerously close to that. Jacksonville signed Mitch Morse to take over at center, and Fortner has struggled again this preseason."

A third-round pick in the 2022 NFL draft, Fortner was serviceable in his rookie campaign. He was expected to take a step forward last year but instead regressed, giving up 28 total pressures and four sacks on 749 pass-blocking snaps. For context, he was 31st among centers in pass-block win rate in 2023. The Ohio native wasn't much better as a run blocker, posting a 40.0 Pro Football Focus grade in that area.

Fortner's struggles led Jacksonville to sign Morse in free agency. Although the team's brass said they expected the duo to compete for the starting job at center, the former hasn't inspired much confidence in the preseason.

Ideally, Morse's presence would allow Fortner to take a backseat and take some pressure off his shoulders but that hasn't been the case, as he's been pushed around when he's been on the field. This has made the media and fans wonder whether the center deserves a roster spot with the Jags in 2024.

Why the Jaguars should keep Luke Fortner? Why they shouldn't

Based on Luke Fortner's development, the Jacksonville Jaguars should just move on and cut their losses. Keeping him around and expecting him to improve would be a prime example of the cost-sunk fallacy, which says that you shouldn't keep pouring resources into something to justify the investment.

Fortner was a third-round pick, so he's certainly talented. The issue is that said talent has yet to turn into production. Sure, he's made 34 consecutive starts but how many of those were duds? On the other hand, it's important to point out that no process is linear.

While Fortner has taken several steps back, there's a chance he'll bounce back and turn the corner. Fellow 2022 third-round Chad Muma is experiencing such a learning curve.

Muma showed potential when he filled in for Devin Lloyd in 2022. However, he struggled when he saw action last year. But instead of giving up on him, the coaching staff showed confidence in him. The former Wyoming Cowboy has repaid that trust with a noticeable improvement in Year 3. It's helped that Ryan Neilsen is now calling the shots on defense, but it isn't farfetched to think Fortner could enjoy a similar career path.

Ultimately, the Jacksonville Jaguars must decide how much longer they're going to hold onto Luke Fortner before they decide to give up on him. If they release him, though, they run the risk of him latching onto another team and becoming the player they expected. Then again, maybe that's in everybody's best interest. Perhaps that's what pushes him to put it all together.

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