Ranking Jacksonville Jaguars O-Line starters ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft
The Jacksonville Jaguars have taken steps towards fortifying their offensive line ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft. Not long after hosting offensive tackle Cameron Fleming for a visit they've brought back a familiar face in Josh Wells, who previously donned the Black and Teal from 2014 to 2018.
Both Fleming and Wells can line up at different spots across the offensive line but the team's brass felt comfortable going the latter. Otherwise, they wouldn't have signed him, right?
Wells went undrafted in 2014 but signed with the Jags and went on to appear in 39 games with nine starts before joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2019. The James Madison product could push Walker Little for the right tackle job in training camp but there's a stronger chance he'll be the team's swing tackle, the role Little had last season.
Even though the Jags could still choose an offensive lineman early in the 2023 NFL Draft despite the addition, the group looks solid overall, and here's a ranking of their five projected starters next season.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars Pre-NFL Draft O-Line Rankings: Ben Bartch, LG
The 2020 draft was one of the worst general manager Dave Caldwell oversaw when he was running the Jaguars' front office. That year, Jacksonville had three picks in the top 50, and all of them are already gone. Then again, not everything was doom and gloom, as Caldwell found some valuable contributors in the middle and late rounds. Defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton might be the one that stands out the most but Jacksonville has also gotten significant production from guard Ben Bartch.
A fourth-round pick in 2020, the former St. John Johnny was pushed into the spotlight when injuries struck the offensive line. Even though he struggled at times, he also showed starting potential. Bartch would also get playing time in 2021 when he took over at right tackle in relief of A.J. Cann, who suffered a season-ending injury in Week 4.
Bartch progressively got better and was the starter at left guard in Week 1 last year. However, he suffered a knee injury in Week 5 that ended his season prematurely. The Oregon native is entering a contract year and might need to compete for his job if the front office takes an offensive guard, such as O'Cyrus Torrence, early in the draft, which is why he takes the last spot in this ranking.