2023 NFL Free Agency: Grading the Jaguars' Signing of Josh Wells

What do we make of the Jaguars signing of Josh Wells?

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 tackle Josh Wells.

Wells appeared in 39 games during his first Jaguars tenure, starting nine games between 2017-2018. He then appeared in 56 games with Tampa Bay over the last four years, earning a Super Bowl ring with the team while starting 15 regular-season games and one playoff game.

So what do we make of the Wells signing? We break it down below.

What Wells' signing means for 2023

The Jaguars likely have their swing tackle. The Jaguars shouldn't be expected to pass on a starting-level tackle just because they have Wells on the roster, but the addition of Wells also means the Jaguars don't have to spend an early pick on an offensive tackle. The Jaguars' tackle depth was disastrous ahead of the Wells signing; now, it is much more respectable. 

Wells should be expected to be the favorite to be the Jaguars' swing tackle to open 2023's training camp, even with the potential addition of a rookie. He is a depth lineman, but he is one of the more experienced swing tackles in the NFL and his addition shouldn't be discounted when it comes to the back half of the 53-man roster.

Who is impacted the most?

A rookie who isn't on the roster yet. There should be no debate about whether Wells would push Walker Little at right tackle. As things stand today, that position is far and away Little's to win. Perhaps that changes at the end of this month when the Jaguars enter the 2023 NFL Draft with nine picks, but for now Little is the starter and everyone else falls in behind him.

Before the Wells signing, any rookie pick at offensive tackle was slated to be a lock to be the Jaguars' top backup option behind Cam Robinson and Little. With Wells now in the fold, though, then things could look different for a tackle the Jaguars take at No. 24 or elsewhere, perhaps even leading to a year one switch to guard for said rookie.

Where does Wells fall on the depth chart?

Right behind Walker Little and Cam Robinson, for now. Wells should be healthy by training camp after a season-ending torn patellar tendon injury in late December and, for now, is the Jaguars' only true experienced option at swing tackle. The loss of Jawaan Taylor in free agency meant the Jaguars lost one of their most experienced offensive linemen, and the addition of Wells should mean the Jaguars at least have a veteran presence ready if needed. 

The scenario that would be curious would be if the Jaguars spent an early pick on an offensive tackle, which could potentially push Wells to a No. 4 offensive tackle spot. Wells at the very least could offer competition to the rookie, and that seems the only way right now that Wells doesn't enter 2023 as the Jaguars' swing tackle.

Grade: C

This is a decent signing for the Jaguars. Normally, minimal veteran additions are met with a C- on our grading scale, but Wells is a different case. When he is healthy, he is a legitimate experienced swing tackle option, and having that kind of flexibility would help the Jaguars' depth immensely. But he has struggled with injuries over the last few years and it is tough to grade this signing positively when one considers the Jaguars also had interest in Cam Fleming.