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Jacksonville Jaguars using NFL free agency to fix O-line. It should continue with NFL Draft
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- Jacksonville Jaguars using NFL free agency to fix O-line. It should continue with NFL Draft
One of the biggest problems causing the Jacksonville Jaguars to seriously underachieve last season, besides key injuries to Trevor Lawrence and some of his weapons, was a lack of toughness and physicality at the line of scrimmage.
GM James Gladstoneand head coach Liam Coen, who truly values a good running game, recognized that glaring weakness on tape and have invested in correcting that problem.
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Four of the Jaguars ' 10 free-agent signings were offensive linemen, which might seem like overkill. But when you convert only 15 of 28 third-and-one situations like last season, that speaks to a lack of physicality up front, and the Jaguars couldn't afford to skimp on potential remedies.
Clearly, the new leadership structure, especially VP of Football Operations and Hall of Fame offensive tackle Tony Boselli, felt strongly about a makeover in the O-line mindset.
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Center Robert Hainsey, formerly with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, was signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars in free agency as a replacement for the retiring Mitch Morse.
The Jaguars made substantial, but not crazy, investments in replacing retired center Mitch Morse and aging right guard Brandon Scherff . They committed $30 million in guaranteed money to former Tampa Bay Buccaneers center Robert Hainsey and ex- Baltimore Ravens guard Patrick Mekari to fill those respective positions.
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Gladstone took it a step further by bringing in reinforcements, signing Chuma Edoga as competition for left guard Ezra Cleveland and Philadelphia Eagles ' swing tackle Fred Johnson on a one-year deal for a similar role.
Scherff's toughness embodied a lot of what the Jaguars wanted, but his willingness to play through injuries also limited his effectiveness and the age factor began creeping in. Scherff, 33, has started 140 games, which took a significant toll on his body.
Getting Mekari in his prime was critical
In the 27-year-old Mekari, who has 53 starts in the Baltimore Ravens ' run-oriented attack, the Jaguars were willing to invest three-years and $37.5 million ($20 million guaranteed) to get a lineman entering his prime. That shows the priority the Jaguars' brass made in addressing the O-line.
The Jaguars handed out a three-year, $37.5 million contract to former Baltimore Ravens guard Patrick Mekari (65), seen here blocking against Pittsburgh Steelers' defensive lineman Cameron Heyward (97), to replace the aging Brandon Scherff.
Now, with 10 picks in the NFL Draft, the Jaguars must do more to beef up a deplorable defense, including the interior of that line.
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Don't just think moving Arik Armstead back inside or counting on the development of second-year tackles Maason Smith and Jordan Jefferson is going to provide the push necessary to make life easier for edge rushers Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker .
Just as the Jaguars moved to shore up the secondary by acquiring free agents Jourdan Lewis and Eric Murray , they should invest a draft pick or two on fortifying the defensive front.
Coen was adamant upon his hiring that a huge emphasis will be placed on helping Lawrence, but that takes more than finding better bodyguards. It also involves putting a tougher, physical defense that gets off the field to give the quarterback more chances to get points.
The Jaguars have been pushed around both lines of scrimmage long enough. It's time to start pushing back.
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Ex-Jaguars get shot at revenge
There'll be no shortage of former Jaguars taking aim at making life harder for their ex-employer next season.
With receiver Christian Kirk , cornerback Ronald Darby and offensive tackle Cam Robinson all going to the AFC South rival Houston Texans , that trio will get two chances in 2025 to pin losses on Jacksonville and help the Texans repeat as division champions.
A road matchup with the San Francisco 49ers will feature starting guard Ben Bartch , backup tight end Luke Farrell and backup quarterback Mac Jones on the opposite sideline.
Denver Broncos tight Evan Engram and New York Jets safety Andre Cisco return to EverBank Stadium to try and make the Jaguars pay for either releasing them or allowing them to leave as a free agent.
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On the flip side, the Jaguars signed two players, tight end Hunter Long ( Los Angeles Rams ) and safety Eric Murray(Houston), who will play against their ex-employers.
gfrenette@jacksonville.com: (904 ) 359-4540; Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @genefrenette
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Credit Jacksonville Jaguars for investing in beefing up offensive line
