Jaguars GM makes strong statement about first-round pick OT Anton Harrison
One thing is clear for the Jacksonville Jaguars after having selected OT Anton Harrison out of Oklahoma with the 27th overall pick of the 2023 NFL draft: It's all about protecting the team's most valuable player, QB Trevor Lawrence. That's a smart, smart choice for a franchise that witness how great Lawrence can be in […]
One thing is clear for the Jacksonville Jaguars after having selected OT Anton Harrison out of Oklahoma with the 27th overall pick of the 2023 NFL draft: It's all about protecting the team's most valuable player, QB Trevor Lawrence.
That's a smart, smart choice for a franchise that witness how great Lawrence can be in 2022 when the No. 6 passing offense led the team to a playoff appearance that lasted until the Divisional Round.
Now the question becomes: What's the plan for the rookie? With veteran Cam Robinson set to be suspended for violating the league's PED policy and Walker Little having shown he can play on both sides of the offensive line, it's unclear where the Jaguars plan to Anton Harrison.
"He can play left side, right side, can potentially play guard," said Jaguars GM Trent Baalke in the team's conference following the first round. "So there's a lot of versatility as well. But we have a plan for him for sure."
But even though Baalke admits Robinson's suspension played into the decision by claiming that "everything" does when it comes to the Draft, he sent a strong message surrounding the team's choice.
"I can't stress this enough: Our board was set strictly on ability, the value of the player," said Baalke, explaining he and HC Doug Pederson talked about grabbing the best guy on their board. "Let's walk away from the first round with a player we really like and covet, regardless of the position."
That's very different from a "need" type pick which has many teams reaching for a player. And what's even better is that the Jaguars GM has some evidence to back up his words. Look no further than their two big decisions before finally turning a card in.
"If it was that big of a deal, we obviously would've made that pick (at 24th) and not have traded back," said Baalke. Fair enough.
As for the immediate plan for Harrison, Jaguars HC Doug Pederson confirmed Harrison will start working at tackle first. Here's what The Athletic's Dane Brugler wrote in his scouting report about the team's pick in his draft guide:
Overall, Harrison isn’t a simple evaluation because of the Sooners’ scheme, but he has the movement patterns of a much smaller player and generally recovers well thanks to his athleticism and length. Although there will be a learning curve, he has the tools to become a long-term NFL starter.
