The Jacksonville Jaguars Offseason
2022 Dream Draft Pick: Ikem Ekwonu
This dream draft pick doesn't matter for the Jaguars as they hold the #1 overall pick but if they were to make a choice that bests puts this team on a path to win it would be Ikem Ekwonu. Ekwonu is the drafts best offensive lineman and is perennial pro bowler waiting to happen and I can't imagine a better pick for a rebuilding Jacksonville team than the most versatile offensive lineman available.
The To-Do List
Trade James Robinson
This might be an unpopular opinion in Jacksonville but trading James Robinson actually has to happen because the previous regime that was Urban Meyer decided that Jacksonville should spend a first round selection on Trevor Lawrence's buddy and teammate on running back Etienne who sadly suffered a season-ending Lisfranc injury in his foot and with him being a substantial investment on this and his relationship with his quarterback, Doug Pederson needs to trade away Robinson. Luckily for the Jaguars there are plenty of teams in need of a cheap and high productive option at the running back position with the first name that comes to mind being the Buffalo Bills who have been starving for a run game that isn't lead by their superstar quarterback and with a highly productive running back like Robinson to give the football to, it could be the move that puts them over the top. Buffalo is in win-now mode and they would be willing to trade away picks to get Robinson in the backfield to the Bills the one two punch they have been so desperately missing and Jacksonville can't to pay a running back big money, from team building perspective and not financial, as Doug Pederson rebuilds the team in his image. Travis Etienne has the skill set to take over for Robinson and his college tape considering that he missed his rookie year, shows a running back with all the tools to make a major impact in the NFL and with some improvement in the offensive line, he could have a very good pro football career.
Go after offensive lineman in free agency: top 3 targets
The Jacksonville Jaguars have over $56,000,000 in cap room to spend in 2021 with no outstanding mega deals that need to be handed out and with a free agency that has tremendous offensive lineman, the Jaguars can certainly afford to be frivolous. They may not be in a win-now mode as Doug Pederson rebuild the culture in first year but ensuring that quarterback Trevor Lawrence's first "REAL" NFL season after Urban Meyer mailed in his rookie year is the top priority and the best way to give Trevor Lawrence some confidence will be signing quality offensive lineman to protect the potential franchise quarterback.
Trevor Lawrence's development should be the top priority in the 2022 offseason and Doug Pederson has plenty of ammunition and funds to build around the young quarterback. The offensive line in Jacksonville was by no means the problem in 2021 but getting to respectible level in 2022 will give this team a fighting chance to show their potential as an offense and the above potential free agents would certainly help put this team back on the map.
- Brandon Scherff: Brandon Scherff should be the top priority for the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2022 as he's a perennial pro bowl guard whose play in Washington has helped establish the franchises consistent running game and if they can't afford him in 2022 the Jaguars can out bid anyone to bring him in. He's 30 yrs of age but he's not slowing down by any means and putting him Jacksonville's line will certainly improve the roster in a major way.
- Terron Armstead: Terron Armstead is by no means a player that the Saints want to lose and he's going to be one painful cap casualty for them much to the advantage of the Jaguars. Terron Armstead is a phenomenal offensive tackle that would secure the blindside for Trevor Lawrence early in his NFL career and allow him flourish and with him also being 30 yrs of age, he could be a relatively affordable pick up.
- Andrew Norwell: Andrew Norwell reportedly has a desire to stay in Jacksonville and towards the end of the season he looked to play with more vigor probably because he's expect to get cut but if Norwell can agree to a team friendly deal with the team, I certainly could see them retaining him. Norwell is a former pro bowler and has some gas still in his tank and the Jaguars should consider keeping him just to have a familiar presence on the line.
Trevor Lawrence's development should be the top priority in the 2022 offseason and Doug Pederson has plenty of ammunition and funds to build around the young quarterback. The offensive line in Jacksonville was by no means the problem in 2021 but getting to respectible level in 2022 will give this team a fighting chance to show their potential as an offense and the above potential free agents would certainly help put this team back on the map.
Draft Evan Neal or Ikem Ekwonu
The Jacksonville Jaguars two years in a row hold the 1st overall pick in the NFL draft and luckily for them this draft has elite offensive line talent at the top of the draft and the two biggest names that could certainly fix an area of need for the Jaguars is Evan Neal or Ikem Ekwonu. Both prospects in my opinion are neck and neck as to who is the better offensive tackle prospect in the NFL draft and the combine as well as private workouts are where the top dog in the class will be decided.
If I had to chose, I would probably pick Ikem Ekwonu over Evan Neal just because if Ekwonu failed as an offensive tackle in the NFL he certainly could make a living as an NFL guard but if Evan Neal fails, it could be much more of a transition elsewhere outside of the offensive tackle position. I doubt both have issues in the NFL based on their tape and their prowess against elite pass rushers in this draft and the Jaguars should have a difficult choice to make come April, which is a good problem to have.
- Evan Neal: Evan Neal is an elite offensive tackle prospect that can play both the run and pass with exceptional skill and nuance and he's also one of the elite athletes in this class at 6'8" and 350 who somehow moves like a cat with the power of an ox and in a 1-on-1 matchup with some of college football's best edge rushers, he absolutely mauled and dominated. I would regard him as the best pure offensive tackle prospect in the draft and if the Jaguars are comfortable with their guards, assuming they go after Brandon Scherff or resign Andrew Norwell, he would be a seamless fit for their offensive line.
- Ikem Ekwonu: Ikem Ekwonu shot up draft boards in the 2021 season with nasty play at the offensive tackle position after playing guard and right tackle previously at an elite level and he's proven himself to be the most versatile offensive line prospect in the draft. He plays with intense rage and power and he cleared open holes in the line and on the edge on a consistent basis and I would shocked to see him not have close to the same success in the NFL. He can play guard and tackle at an elite level and probably has the highest floor of all offensive tackles in the draft.
If I had to chose, I would probably pick Ikem Ekwonu over Evan Neal just because if Ekwonu failed as an offensive tackle in the NFL he certainly could make a living as an NFL guard but if Evan Neal fails, it could be much more of a transition elsewhere outside of the offensive tackle position. I doubt both have issues in the NFL based on their tape and their prowess against elite pass rushers in this draft and the Jaguars should have a difficult choice to make come April, which is a good problem to have.