The Jaguars need to focus more energy on the offensive line
With all of the focus being paid to the defense and QB position, I believe Jaguar fans are forgetting another area that will need repair work. The offensive line. It seems people are expecting Eben Britton to return and everything to be hunky dory with the group once again.
It is easy to forget Brad Meester is a year removed from having a terrible 2009 and with no guarantees of continuing his 2010 rebound. How many more years does Vince Manuwai really have left in him? If Britton goes down again, where is the player on the Jags roster that could fill in for him?
Considering the recent injury history and age of the group, the Jaguars will need to try and address the O-line.
Brad Meester is the undeniable leader of the offensive line and has been a rock of consistency since he joined the Jaguars. However, it is clear his career is coming to an end and the Jaguars will need to address that at some point. I know the Jaguars like UDFA C John Estes as a jar on the shelf player, but how likely is he really to become the future at the position?
If Penn St C Stefan Wisniewski is available in the second round, the Jaguars should take a long look at him. While not quite as good as the Maurkice Pouncey was coming out, Wisniewski would be able to start as a rookie if need be. Another player could be Florida State’s Rodney Hudson. Hudson probably wouldn’t fit as a guard for the Jaguars but played well at center during the Senior Bowl.
The guard position is going to be another area that needs to be looked at. Uche Nwaneri has grown into his role as a starting guard, but the other side definitely needs some attention. Vince Manuwai began to resemble his pre-injury self, but how much more gas does he have in the tank? There are several mid round guys who could be quality starters in this year’s draft. The main guy I like is Miami’s Orlando Franklin.
Finally, the tackle position will need to be addressed somehow. After seeing Jordan Black get consistently beat by opposing DE’s and then cut, the Jaguars depth at the position is practically non-existent. UDFA Kevin Haslam will likely be tapped with being Black’s replacement, but another tackle who could step in as a starter wouldn’t hurt. This would probably be left to free agency, if possible.
-Jonathan Loesche
