2024 Offseason: Which Options Could Improve Jaguars Interior Offensive Line?
After a discouraging finish to the 2024 season, we broke down the Jaguars’ biggest needs heading into the 2024 off-season. Some of the team’s most apparent weak spots include the interior portion of the offensive and defensive line, edge rushers, wide receiver, and cornerback.
Now, we’ll take a look at which available players best fit the team's needs.
Interior Offensive Line
This season, nobody in the league forced more missed tackles than Travis Etienne (63). While this is impressive, it's time that the offensive line stops forcing Etienne to work so hard. The Jaguars tied for the 2nd fewest yards per carry out of all NFL teams while averaging the 10th fewest yards per game out of all teams.
1. Robert Hunt (Right Guard)
Durability and versatility come to mind when mentioning Hunt. Prior to this season, the 6’6 335 pound veteran had played in every game since entering the league as a 2nd round pick four seasons ago. Hunt’s “Iron Man” run came to an end this year, when he missed six games due to a hamstring injury that he ultimately recovered from by the end of the year.
In his rookie year, Hunt made 11 starts at right tackle before switching to right guard in 2021. Although Hunt has flourished as the Dolphins right guard (Miami led the league in rushing yards and tied for the league lead in touchdowns), he has still been called to fill in at right tackle on occasion, most recently against the Jets in 2023.
While Hunt’s size is certainly a benefit, his instincts are what sets him apart. When approaching the second level, Hunt’s decisiveness at the point of attack is exceptional. While some offensive linemen struggle to keep up with the lateral quickness displayed by linebackers and safeties, Hunt often handles them with ease. Hunt also impressed as a pass-blocker. This season, he gave up just one sack, he’s only allowed nine since 2020.
2. Andre James (Center)
James joined the Raiders as an undrafted rookie out of UCLA who started the final 32 games of his college career. Injuries quickly decimated the Raiders offensive line, by week 9, James was starting in place of All-Pro center Rodney Hudson.
As a rookie, James made his presence felt immediately. Enough so that the Raiders traded away Rodney Hudson, a 3-time Pro Bowler and franchise cornerstone. According to PFF, out of 583 pass-blocking snaps, James allowed just 4 sacks and 19 quarterback pressures.
To add to his strengths as a blocker, James hasn't had much trouble staying on the field. Since taking over as the full-time starter in 2021, James has missed just three games in the past three seasons.
3. Kevin Zeitler (Left Guard)
Zeitler has been a consistent starter in this league for over a decade. A reliable starter at that. In eleven years, Zeitler has only missed eleven games since being drafted in the first round out of Wisconsin, where he was a consensus All-American. Zeitler demonstrated his coordination and agility when he excelled in the 20-yard shuttle (4.61), finishing in the top-10 among all linemen.
Zeitler didn't miss a beat when he entered the league, and he doesn’t appear to be slowing down. Zeitler started all 16 games as a rookie, he eventually became the highest-paid guard in the NFL. He will be 34 years old at the beginning of next season, but he is coming off one of the most effective seasons in his career.
In 982 total snaps, Zeitler gave up just two sacks and was only penalized four times. His success helped the Ravens finish as the league's leader in overall rushing yards this season. According to PFF, since entering the league in 2012, Zeitler has not given up more than four sacks in a single season.
