The Jacksonville Jaguars have quite a bit of money to spend this offseason. While they don’t lead the league in available cap space like they did last season, they still rank in the top five heading into a crucial free agency period.
One area the team needs to do some work on is the offensive line, where it could have as many as three departing free agents. Some of that could be addressed in the draft, but this team will almost certainly look to sign someone for the line this offseason.
ESPN identified two potential offensive line free agents who would be a good fit with the Jaguars, and one of them is already on the roster. Left guard Andrew Norwell’s deal is expiring after it was restructured last offseason, and what to do with him will be one of the difficult decisions the team faces.
Why it makes sense: Jacksonville’s offensive line disappointed overall, but Norwell was solid with a 66.7 Pro Football Focus grade and three sacks allowed. So bring back a productive, familiar face inside while rebuilding the tackle spots. — Fowler
Scheme fit: Norwell is a mauler in the run game, with a big, long frame to displace defenders. He stays with Doug Pederson’s team here, as the offensive focus continues to center on building and maintaining the front. — Bowen
Keeping Norwell would help the interior, but there are still questions at the tackle spots. Jawaan Taylor has struggled on the right side, and Cam Robinson has an expiring deal, too. Jacksonville could look to re-sign or tag the latter, but ESPN thinks it could upgrade with a veteran tackle in free agency in former New Orleans Saint Terron Armstead.
Why it makes sense: Armstead should earn well above $20 million per year on a new deal. Jacksonville is armed with $57.7 million in cap space and must replace Cam Robinson. New coach Doug Pederson came from Philadelphia, which prioritizes tackle play. — Fowler
Scheme fit: A powerful mover with nimble feet, Armstead immediately upgrades the pass protection for quarterback Trevor Lawrence. But the veteran also fits here in Pederson’s run-game structure as a blocker in both gap and zone schemes. — Bowen
Keeping Norwell would make a good bit of sense, given the team’s other needs, and it’s hard to argue Armstead wouldn’t be an improvement over Robinson (though using the first pick on a tackle is also an option).
Both of these additions would help Trevor Lawrence, but if the team wants to add a playmaker in free agency, ESPN also said it could be a candidate for Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku. However, his current team was listed as the best fit for him.
It’s clear the Jaguars need some upgrades on the offensive side of the ball, and if they made the moves outlined here for the line, the unit would almost certainly take a pretty big leap in 2022.
