The Jacksonville Jaguars paved the way for Walker Little to start at left tackle when they traded Cam Robinson to the Minnesota Vikings before the November 5 deadline. So far, the decision has paid off, and if the former Stanford Cardinal continues to shine, he'll give the Jags a tough decision come March.
Little has made three starts since Jacksonville sent Robinson to the Vikings. He also saw extended playing time in Week 7 when his veteran counterpart left the game with a concussion. Since then, the Texas native has surrendered six total pressures and one sack.
In the Minnesota game, Little gave up no sacks or pressures and posted a Pro Football Focus pass-blocking of 89.6. In fact, that was the highest mark among offensive linemen in the whole league in Week 10. That kind of production should have the team's brass worried and thrilled at the same time.
OTs with zero pressures allowed this week 🧼 pic.twitter.com/OivzaPI2vN
— PFF (@PFF) November 12, 2024
On the one hand, the Jags should be thrilled that whoever starts behind center the remainder of the season, whether it's Trevor Lawrence or Mac Jones, will have his blind side protected. Having said that, his price tag will go up every time he keeps showing out. The former Texas native is set to become a free agent in 2025. Given that he plays a premium position, he could have a robust market for his services if he finished the year on a hot streak.
Little, the 45th overall selection in 2021, had routinely shined throughout his NFL career but had not been given — or hadn't earned — an opportunity to showcase what he could do on a full-time basis. With Robinson out of the picture, he has a prime opportunity to prove that he deserves to be Lawrence's blindside protector long term.
Walker Little will be incentized to show out whether he stays with the Jaguars or not
Dating back to his college days, Walker Little proved he was a premier tackle. Following his sophomore campaign, he was poised to be a top-10 selection. Unfortunately, he suffered an ACL in 2019 that sidelined him for most of the year. Couple that with his decision to sit out the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and it's easy to see why he fell to the second round in 2021.
It took him a bit of time to get his chance, but Little will now get to try out for the Jaguars' left tackle job beyond 2024 and the rest of the league. And that's the thing, there's no guarantee he'll return to Jacskonville even if he keeps shining.
There could be a new general manager in place if owner Shad Khan decides to dismiss Trent Baalke. This a reasonable scenario when you take into account that the Jaguars haven't lived up to expectations and have won just three of their last 16 games dating back to Week 13 of the 2023 season.
But even if Baalke is back, it's uncertain if he will be willing to get into a bidding war with other teams to retain Little. Heck, nobody would blame the left tackle if he wants to test the market and get the best possible deal.
The bottom line is that Walker Little has a great opportunity in front of him. It will be up to him to seize it. If he does, the Jacksonville Jaguars should gladly pay him, regardless of the amount, to ensure he doesn't go anywhere.