Why the Jaguars’ OT Logjam Is a Good Problem To Have
One of the biggest questions surrounding the Jacksonville Jaguars is what their offensive line will look like when left tackle Cam Robinson returns from an impending suspension. And last year showed that isn't a bad thing.
A year ago, the Jaguars entered the season with an embarrassment of riches at offensive tackle. While some teams do not have one starting-level tackle, the Jaguars had the rare luxury of having three different tackles who could be leaned on with Robinson, Jawaan Taylor and Walker Little.
It was because of that depth that the Jaguars saw zero regression in their offense when Robinson went down with a season-ending knee injury in March. Little, a 2021 second-round selection, slid into Robinson's spot and showed zero drop-off. Without that depth at tackle, the Robinson injury could have derailed the Jaguars' entire run at the end of the season.
The Jaguars' offensive tackle room looks a bit different now than it did entering last season. Little is expected to start at left tackle during Robinson's looming suspension, which could be anywhere between two to eight games. Replacing Taylor at right tackle is rookie first-round pick Anton Harrison.
"He'll stay at the right side, but he's also played guard and things of that nature. So this is the time of year to really, I think, experiment with every position," Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson said about Harrison when it came to his place in the lineup during OTAs.
The question, whenever Robinson returns, is where he will slot in and how the starting lineup will change, if at all. And for now, there are much worse problems to have, especially as the Jaguars await the NFL's ultimate ruling on Robinson.
"It's great for them and this time of year we don't have a depth chart, we don't set anything. We're letting everybody work and getting reps all over the place and even if Cam were here right now, he's hurt and he wouldn't be doing a lot of stuff," Pederson said last week.
"So it would still be the same situation. So great for both of those guys, great for Anton to get all the reps he can mentally out there and it'll just put us in a better position heading into camp."
While some fans have theorized whether the Jaguars would attempt to move on from Robinson and potentially even void his guaranteed money, it doesn't make much sense to. Instead, it makes sense for the Jaguars to get through the early portion of the season without Robinson and then welcome him back with open arms, at least for 2023.
By doing so, the Jaguars would create the same logjam they had last year. Three starting tackles and just two spots to fill. But it was that logjam that saved the Jaguars' season a year ago. Nobody knows if it could be that logjam that does the same in 2024, but insurance is a key thing to have.
If the Jaguars were to get Robinson off the books in 2023 -- which does not appear to be a viable option -- then what would that cap space really do for them? Outside of DeAndre Hopkins and a few veteran pass-rushers, the free-agent market is dried up. As things stand today, Robinson is more valuable as a depth piece than any cap space could be.
Anyone who guesses what the Jaguars' offensive line will look like when Robinson returns is doing just that: guessing. It would make little sense to move Little from left tackle if he is playing well, but Robinson is the most experienced tackle on the team. That is a player worth keeping, especially at a position that the Jaguars have seen injuries at in each of the past two seasons.
