After drafting Travis Hunter second overall, the Jacksonville Jaguars had to wait until near the end of the third round to make their next selection. They took defensive back Caleb Ransaw at No. 88. And just one pick later, they chose Wyatt Milum, who will add depth to the offensive line and maybe even challenge Ezra Cleveland for the starting job at left guard.
Milum was a four-year starter at left tackle for the Mountaineers. However, his lack of arm lenght make him an candidate to move inside. Either way, the Jags believe that the West Virginia product will improve the offensive trenches.
During Day 2 of the draft, general manager James Gladstone met with the local media and talked about the decision to select Milum, pointing out that he's got the kind of traits the new regime is looking for (e.g. intangible rich).
"Obviously, a player with a lot of experience. Generally, if I take a step back, something that I articulated in the interview process is that the trenches would be something that we prioritize," Gladstone responded when asked what the Jags liked about Milum. "That's something that was showcased through our actions in pro free agency. And obviously, here with the first three picks, we see that show up again."
Gladstone continued, "Competition across the entire roster is important to us, but making sure that at the offensive line, depth is never something that we're concerned with. He's somebody that's walking in as a rookie and is kind of coming with a high level of college experience. And really, a lot of the elements that our fan base now knows we covet, which are the intangible elements. It's something that we look forward to him bringing into the room and absorbing across the group that's already here."
Gladstone didn't go into specifics about the team's plans for Milum but noted that his presence gives much-needed depth in the trencehs.
"I'll go back to you can never have enough security across the offensive line. The depth there is important. I've been a part of scenarios where attrition has occurred, and it typically does throughout an NFL season, in particular, across the offensive line, and it can be debilitating for an offense. And that's something that I don't want to put us at risk for, knowing just how important that is. So continuing to build the depth across that group is something we're prioritizing," Gladstone said.
"I think to point back to some of the comments I made in the early going of being on the job, the idea of setting the disc. In particular, the internal sort of pocket that a quarterback feeling comfortable with stepping into that, right? That's important as well. Sothe moves in pro free agency, the moves here, they all point to that, and certainly look forward to seeing whether or not it plays out in the way that we would like, but this is a step in the right direction."
Wyatt Milum may challenge Ezra Cleveland for a starting job with the Jaguars
Back in free agency, the Jacksonville Jaguars inked Patrick Mekari and Robert Hainsey to start at one guard spot and center, respectively. They also added depth to the offensive line with the signings of Chuma Edoga and Fred Johnson. The quartet joined a group that includes Walker Little, Anton Harrison, Ezra Cleveland, Cole Van Lanen, Cooper Hodges, and Javon Foster.
Little, Cleveland, Hainsay, Mekari, and Harrison are set to start. However, Milum could challenge Cleveland if he makes the switch to guard. Sure, there's a chance that he'll get a shot at offensive tackle, but due to the presence of Johnson and Edoga, it's more likely that he'll line up inside at least early in his career.
And that's the thing, Cleveland hasn't been outright awful but hasn't been great since signing a three-year deal worth $24 million last offseason. If Milum makes a strong impression early in training camp, it wouldn't make sense to keep Cleveland around, even if his release accelerated a dead cap hit.
The bottom line is that even if Milum doesn't end up starting as a rookie, having him around provides depth and competition to the offensive line, which accomplished the Jags' intended goal for the draft.