3 Observations on Jaguars Adding Josh Wells, Chandler Brewer to OL
The Jacksonville Jaguars fortified their offensive line depth with just three weeks ahead of this month's draft, signing backup veteran blockers Josh Wells and Chandler Brewer on consecutive days.
With Wells' nine years of experience as a swing tackle now added to the mix along with Brewer's most experienced season in 2022, the Jaguars have added two experienced faces to a unit that got banged up last fall and also lost Jawaan Taylor this spring.
So, what do the moves mean for 2023 and for the Jaguars' long-term direction along the offensive line? We break it down below.
The Jaguars' draft plans shouldn't be overly impacted
While the Jaguars signed two players to the offensive line room within a span of 24 hours, it doesn't mean the Jaguars have answered every question they have along the line. Many will see the transactions and assume the Jaguars are loading up on linemen so they can avoid spending high picks on the unit, but Wells and Brewer aren't the types of additions teams make that dictate their draft plans, even this close to the draft.
Wells can give the Jaguars insurance entering the draft; they are no longer in a doomsday scenario at offensive tackle in the event an injury occurs. But no team is passing on a talent like Darnell Wright or Dawand Jones simply because of having Wells on the roster as he enters nearly his 10th season. Likewise for Brewer. The Jaguars can survive entering training camp if they don't pick a rookie guard, but the addition of Brewer doesn't mean they have no incentive to potentially add competition.
If healthy, Wells could give the Jaguars a decent swing tackle option to enter camp in 2023
Again, having Wells on the roster doesn't mean the Jaguars should eliminate offensive tackle as a potential top-100 option. But the addition of Wells does mean the Jaguars at least have a swing tackle option on the roster during the offseason program and ahead of the draft. In short, this means the Jaguars no longer absolutely have to trust a rookie to backup Cam Robinson and Walker Little. They still could, and potentially even should, but they now have flexibility to enter the draft without having to be a needs-based team.
The value of Wells is as a veteran swing tackle who the Jaguars could rely on in spots in the event any injury hits Little or Robinson, It appears Little is the favorite to start at right tackle, and Wells would give the Jaguars an experienced tackle with over 90 appearances behind him. Considering Little only has 20 snaps at right tackle in his NFL life, it makes sense why the Jaguars would want an experienced option behind him entering training camp.
Brewer could have a chance to compete for a spot on the roster as Brandon Scherff's backup
While Brewer is unlikely to be considered a lock to make the roster entering the next stage of the offseason, the addition of the veteran guard does at least give the Jaguars another option behind Brandon Scherff. Scherff started all 19 games at right guard last year, the first time he has started every game since 2016. But he did that despite battling abdomen and ankle injuries, truly toughing it out by the end of the season.
With Brewer, the Jaguars have another name who could potentially provide guard insurance. They tried a few options in spots throughout last year such as Blake Hance and Cole Van Lanen, but neither has a firm grip on the spot behind Scherff. If Brewer can enter camp and make some noise with the second-team offense, he could have a chance -- or he could be another Wes Martin, entering camp with a shot for a spot before falling behind.
