Jacksonville Jaguars can solve biggest offensive issue in free agency if they decide to save first-round pick
Let's be honest for one second – the Jacksonville Jaguars have to get better in the trenches on both sides of the ball, specifically the offensive line, which was a big reason for the offensive issues all season long. The offseason is the perfect time to do that.Sure, there are a lot of top priorities […]
Let's be honest for one second – the Jacksonville Jaguars have to get better in the trenches on both sides of the ball, specifically the offensive line, which was a big reason for the offensive issues all season long. The offseason is the perfect time to do that.
Sure, there are a lot of top priorities for the Jaguars, like bringing back the players that need to be back, a.k.a Josh Allen and potentially Calvin Ridley. However, there are other needs, too, and the offensive line is one of them, specifically the center and guard positions.
Now, they have options. They could wait until the NFL draft, after free agency, or try to find an established veteran or two for the needed positions. You can't go wrong with either decision. But, there is one issue if they go the draft route, especially if they decide to draft a center, which they desperately need.
The Jaguars pick at No. 17, which means they will have options. Jackson Powers-Johnson, the best center prospect in the draft by a mile, will likely be available, but won't by the time their pick swings back around in the second round. You also have to think that he can play more than one position, so the chances of another team taking him are high.
But centers, which is likely what the Jaguars would play him at, usually aren't taken that high in the draft because there is only one of them on every starting lineup, so the demand isn't as high as maybe a guard or tackle. As we can see in his tape, the fact that Trevor Lawrence had the third-worst time to throw in the league at 2.5 seconds means they need an upgrade somewhere, and Luke Fortner, the current center, is by far the worst guy up front.
So, taking Powers-Johnson out of Oregon would be great, just not at pick No. 17. Therefore, there are other routes, like free agency. The Jaguars could think about many free agency options, but there is one in particular that makes the most sense.
A to Z Sports did their Top 105 Free Agency Projections, and the first center on the board is Broncos' Lloyd Cushenberry at 29 out of 105. He has a low likelihood of getting franchise-tagged and had a decent year last season. He is projected to get a contract of around three years, $36 million, $12 million APY, and $20 million fully guaranteed. Here is what the projection says about Cushenberry:
Cushenberry, a former third-round pick, has been a starter for the Denver Broncos since day one in 2020. After a poor rookie year, he has steadily improved each year thereafter. It all culminated in 2023, with him becoming one of the best centers in football. Cushenberry's pass blocking has always outpaced his run blocking as his pass efficiency has eclipsed 98% in each of the past two years and he has allowed only 18 pressures and one sack in the past two years. For a cap-strapped contender looking to bolster their offensive line with Cushenberry they could structure the deal with void years to drop his 2024 cap hit to just $4.5 million backloading the deal for a year three cap hit of $13.5 million and $6 million in dead cap in 2027.
According to Spotrac, the Jacksonville Jaguars currently have the 17th most cap space available at $17 million. However, that could change with some cuts to the roster if they decide to do so. I understand there needs to be some cap space for a new Josh Allen contract and potentially a new Calvin Ridley contract, but the good thing is A to Z Sports is projecting Cushenberry's first-year cap hit to be around $4 million.
Cushenberry is a petty good pass blocker who doesn't give up pressure as often as you would think. No, he isn't perfect and has his imperfections, but so do most 26-year-olds. He could certainly work on his run blocking, especially when he gets into that second level with the linebackers.
Cushenberry is an investment I think the Jaguars should certainly consider.
Doug Pederson reveals real reasoning behind Jaguars’ offensive line issues
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