Beefing up the offensive line is a massive priority for the Jacksonville Jaguars this offseason. Aside from needing an infusion of talent, the unit could use a more aggressive mentality. Enter Alabama left guard Tyler Booker, who made it clear at the NFL Scouting Combine that the trenches are no walk in the park and is willing to inflict as much pain in his opponents to ensure he wins every battle.
Booker met with teams at the Combine and talked how why he loves football so much, pointing out that he takes satisfaction in making his opponents miserable.
"Adversity is going to hit, how are you going to respond? And then everybody loves to play football when it's easy, but who loves to play football when it's hard?" Booker asked during his exchange with the media. "And I feel like that's what separates the good guys from the great guys at the game of football."
Booker continued, "And ultimately, I just love the aggressiveness and the tenacity of the game of football, like how is legal assault out there. And I love football because the brand of football that I play, I make guys not love football anymore, and I do that every day, every down by really just giving them my all, letting them know I'm not going to let it. So I love the most about football is taking the love away from other people,"
A two-year starter at left guard, Booker has the mauler mentality you want in your hog mollies. While his footwork and tracking skills are not elite, he's got the tools to compete for a starting job right off the bat. Brandon Thorn of the Bleacher Report scouting department has a second-round grade on him. Here's a snippet of his evaluation.
"Overall, Booker is a powerfully built guard with commanding play strength, power, and a tone-setting demeanor who can get manipulated out of position when isolated against high-end rushers but will solidify the pocket against the bull-rush and dish out body blows as a finisher."
Below's Booker's full exchange at the Scouting Combine, via AL.com:
"It's legal assault out there... I make guys not love football anymore."
— Alabama Crimson Tide | AL.com (@aldotcomTide) March 1, 2025
Alabama's Tyler Booker describes his playing style to reporters at the NFL Combine: pic.twitter.com/Dm9bLT8xDc
Why Tyler Booker would fit like a glove on the Jaguars O-Line
Following the scuffle that erupted after Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair laid an illegal hit on Trevor Lawrence, the Jacksonville Jaguars were questioned for their lack of feistiness. While cornerback Jarrian Jones got ejected from the game, not many players came to No. 16's defense. Tyler Booker could bring some of that attitude the Jags sorely need in the trenches. On top of that, he would address one of their most glaring needs.
Right guard Brandon Scherff is slated to hit the open market, and it doesn't look like the front office will bring him back. If he leaves, he'll leave a void. The Jaguars could go the free-agency route or wait until the draft to fill it.
Sure, Booker lines up at left guard and switching sides is more difficult than it seems. That said, he would be an ideal successor for Scherff. Moreover, Jacksonville could take care of another need at No. 5 and still address the right guard position in Round 2.
Granted, Grey Zabel, who's seen his stock rise could also be on the board when the Jags are on the clock. All things considered, that's not a bad thing. After all, they're better off having two options than just one or none. And that's without taking into account any other guard prospects.
In the end, the Jaguars will have several options to address the guard position, but they cannot go wrong with Tyler Booker in Round 2 of the draft.