2023 NFL Free Agency: Grading the Jaguars' Signing of Chandler Brewer
The Jacksonville Jaguars are on the board.
After sitting out the first wave of free-agency, the Jaguars finally made their March moves on Wednesday, adding three new free agents.
To give an idea of what the new additions could mean for the Jaguars in 2023, the rest of the roster, and our ultimate grade, we are set to analyze each signing. Next up: offensive lineman Chandler Brewer.
Brewer appeared in 13 games after playing with the Los Angeles Rams for three seasons, including making his first four career starts in 2022, all at right guard.
Brewer signed with the Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2019 before opting out of the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Brewer played collegiately at Middle Tennessee State University, where he earned First Team All-Conference-USA honors his senior year. In his sophomore season in 2016, he helped RB I’Tavius Mathers set the school record for rushing yards (1,561) and all-purpose yards (2,194) by a running back.
So what do we make of the Brewer signing? We break it down below.
What Brewer's signing means for 2023
The Jaguars still have options when it comes to adding to the offensive line, even with Brewer and fellow offensive line veteran Josh Wells added to the fray. The Jaguars could draft a starting left guard such as O'Cyrus Torrence, for example, because the addition of Brewer isn't one that would stop the Jaguars from continuing to invest in the position.
What Brewer's signing does give the Jaguars, though, is more competition up front. The Jaguars have a solid starting line but their depth, especially in the interior, is shaky at best. While Brewer is unproven to a large extent, he will have a chance to compete with fellow backup guards to potentially improve the team's second-team offensive line from a year ago.
Who is impacted the most?
Blake Hance and Cole Van Lanen. Brandon Scherff played all 19 games last year despite battling abdomen and ankle injuries over the course of the season's final stretch, but the Jaguars still need a backup option for their star guard. Scherff was a reliable force last year, but he hasn't appeared in every game in a regular-season in consecutive seasons since 2015-2016.
This isn't a big role, obviously, since Hance and Van Lannen combine for just 45 snaps on offense in 2022. But it is a role that is normally active on game day, which means this could be a legitimate battle for a bottom-tier roster spot entering the Jaguars' 2023 campaign.0
Where does Brewer fall on the depth chart?
Probably on the third-team offensive line if the Jaguars line up today with a completely healthy unit. It is obvious that Brandon Scherff is going to man the right guard position, while the left guard position could go to Tyler Shatley, Ben Bartch, or a rookie draft pick.
Then, though, there is a legitimate competition to be had. The Jaguars didn't have a set backup for Brandon Scherff in 2022, with both Blake Hance and Cole Van Lanen taking snaps at the position in the few occasions where Scherff needed someone to fill-in. While both are currently set to return for training camp and the offseason program, Brewer could potentially push them for a spot on the 53-man roster. If he doesn't, though, he will be left as a third-string offensive lineman, which is closer to practice squad status.
Grade: C-
When it comes to cheap deals for journeyman veterans who profile best as depth, I do not think any grade should ever be that much lower than this. Brewer isn't a game-changer, but the Jaguars don't miss out on anything by adding him to the roster on a cheap contract. Brewer will have a chance to fight for a spot, but it is a run-of-the-mill addition at this point in the offseason.
