For the final installment of the state of the roster series on the offensive side, it’s time to check in with the Jacksonville Jaguars’ offensive line.
After a below-average overall year as a group, the Jags spent money to revamp the unit by acquiring veterans like Patrick Mekari and Robert Hainsey. The new front office also spent a third-round pick on guard Wyatt Milum and doubled down by spending a seventh-rounder on center Jonah Monheim.
Even still, Jags fans themselves aren’t as impressed, voting that this could be the team’s worst position group while Pro Football Focus rated the unit the league’s 26th best overall.
Many early metrics are doubtful of anything above an average season for the front five in Duval County, but that doesn’t mean this group is completely devoid of talent.
TACKLES
Contract: First year of a 3-year, $40,500,000 extension signed in 2024.
Age: 26 (27 in March).
Games Played: 55 with 25 starts across four seasons.
Notes:
Little enters the year as the starting left tackle, and with a big contract given to him from previous general manager Trent Baalke. Little has had a strange career in Jacksonville, earning starts at other offensive line positions and plenty of time waiting behind Cam Robinson. But he will continue protecting Trevor Lawrence’s blind side on the left for the foreseeable future.
PFF names Walker Little as the #Jaguars most underrated player heading into the 2025 season.
Walker Little’s 4.1% pressure rate allowed ranked 8th among #NFL Left Tackles in 2024. pic.twitter.com/NyIqrpGW22
— Daniel Griffis (@DanDGriffis) May 19, 2025
Contract: Third year of a 4-year, $13,198,521 rookie contract.
Age: 23 (24 in February).
Games Played: 33 with 33 starts across two seasons.
Notes:
After a solid rookie season, Harrison played fine in his sophomore year on the right side. He may not have been as eye-popping as he was in his first season when he burst onto the scene, but he has proven he has what it takes to be a good NFL tackle. Playing at a consistently high level will be Harrison’s charge under the new coaching staff. Much like Little’s job, there should be essentially no competition for the starting role.
Contract: 1-year, $3,406,000 deal signed in 2025.
Age: 27 (28 in April).
Games Played: 35 with three starts across four seasons, all starts last year in Jacksonville.
Notes:
Van Lanen has played both inside and on the edge for Jacksonville, but likely hasn’t done enough to beat out someone more proven like Fred Johnson for swing minutes. This offensive line group as a whole values versatility, as most players have at least some experience at guard and tackle. That could keep Van Lanen in the mix.
Contract: 1-year, $1,337,500 deal signed in 2025.
Age: 28 (29 in June).
Games Played: 62 with 14 starts across six seasons.
Notes:
Johnson was a big part of the Philadelphia Eagles’ offensive line room across the past two seasons. As a swing tackle, he appeared in all 17 regular season games in two straight years and every postseason contest last year on the way to the Eagles’ Super Bowl win. He will be at worst the team’s top depth piece.
“I almost cried on the sideline, I ain’t gonna lie.”
Fred Johnson stepped in for an injured Lane Johnson and held it down on the right side for the Eagles during their comeback win against the Saints. pic.twitter.com/Cp6H9mLqkP
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) September 23, 2024
Contract: 1-year, $1,1170,000 deal signed in 2025.
Age: 28 (29 in August).
Games Played: 55 with 37 starts across five active seasons.
Notes:
A practice squad player last season, Daley almost certainly will be back on the practice squad once more. He does have a good bit of game experience, but likely not enough to justify an active roster spot all season.
GUARDS
Contract: Second year of a 3-year, $24,000,000 deal signed in 2024.
Age: 27 (28 in May).
Games Played: 77 with 69 starts across six seasons.
Notes:
At left guard, Cleveland’s job is all but secure, even after some up-and-down games for the Jags. Like Little, he too was given a decent contract by the past regime so his playing time is likely more so tied up by his money. Cleveland is a fine player when healthy and the Jags will hope to see the upside he showed when he was in Minnesota this season.
Contract: First year of a 3-year, $37,500,000 deal signed in 2025.
Age: 27 (28 in August).
Games Played: 88 with 53 starts across six seasons.
Notes:
Mekari will start opposite Cleveland on the right side. He is the Brandon Scherff replacement, coming in as a vet with almost 100 games to his name. He received the most money given out by the Jags this free agent cycle. He posted a 70.3 blocking grade on PFF last year.
Patrick Mekari is a hell of a signing!
He is a technician, which is why he is solid all over the line
Make no mistake, he will put you in the dirt if given the chance, he will push you down if the play isn’t over
I love his dawg mentality pic.twitter.com/nyjn3kNX1T
— J-Villains Podcast (@JVillainsPod) March 14, 2025
Contract: First year of a 2-year, $7,000,000 deal signed in 2025.
Age: 28 (29 in May).
Games Played: 47 with 23 starts across six seasons.
Notes:
Edoga could be either a guard or a tackle for Jacksonville. He is coming off playing mostly guard for the Dallas Cowboys the previous two seasons but did play tackle for his three seasons prior. Akin to Johnson, he could probably push anyone on the offensive line.
Contract: First year of a 4-year, $6,277,304 rookie deal.
Age: 23 (24 in December).
Games Played: 47 games across four seasons at West Virginia.
Notes:
Milum was the first offensive lineman taken by Jacksonville under new general manager James Gladstone. The former third-rounder was a tackle in college but is likely going to transition to guard at the pro level. At the combine, he graded out as the fifth-best offensive lineman overall. He is as physical and nasty as they come and earned a Second-Team AP All-American nod last year as well as being named the Big 12 Lineman of the Year.
Wyatt Milum is an intriguing third-round selection for the #Jaguars. He played with good movement skills and brings an abundance of power in the trenches. I could see the West Virginia standout OL being a future starting guard for the team. pic.twitter.com/dOLf5HqTf2
— Jared Feinberg (@JRodNFLDraft) June 20, 2025
Contract: First year of a 3-year, $2,975,000 rookie deal.
Age: 23 (24 in July).
Games Played: 46 with 42 starts at Penn State across six seasons.
Contract:
Undrafted rookie Wormley is probably another practice squad player. He and Javon Foster could, however, be competing for the final depth piece at guard.
Contract: Second year of a 4-year, $4,817,064 rookie deal signed in 2024.
Age: 25 (26 in March).
Games Played: N/A.
Notes:
Despite being a fourth-round selection under Baalke as a tackle, Foster has gone through offseason camps at guard during his time in Jacksonville. He hasn’t seen the field yet so his spot on the active roster isn’t secure.
CENTERS:
Contract: First year of a 3-year, $21,000,000 deal signed in 2025.
Age: 26 (27 in August).
Games Played: 60 with 35 starts across four seasons with Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Notes:
Hainsey was an immediate addition at the beginning of free agency, coming to Jacksonville after having played for head coach Liam Coen in Tampa Bay. He is a former third-rounder who can likely help Lawrence and the offensive line room assimilate faster to Coen’s overall scheme.
Contract: 1-year, $1,500,000 deal signed in 2025.
Age: 27 (28 in May).
Games Played: 51 with 34 starts across three seasons in Jacksonville.
Notes:
Well, at least he has starting experience. Fortner is the much-maligned Jags center the team replaced last year with Mitch Morse, who subsequently retired after a year. Assumedly he will beat the rookie Monheim for backup minutes, but that is anything but certain.
Jonah Monheim
Contract: First year of a 4-year, $4,344,308 rookie deal.
Age: 23 (24 in June).
Games Played: 52 games played for USC across five seasons.
Notes:
Monheim was a four-year starter at Southern Cal where he played pretty well. He is a big guy and, like Milum, is a nasty, gritty dude. He started at all three positions for USC during his time, probably giving him enough value to make the roster.
Meet Jonah Monheim, Center, USC
6’4 307lbs
✅️Excellent mover in space
✅️Local from Moorpark
✅️Experience at multiple positions ✅️Communicates well
May be best in zone scheme
Strength and Power
Check thread ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/FNZBacQorL
— Thomas Martinez (@BoltsDraftTalk) February 27, 2025
What are your thoughts on the OL unit entering 2025? Let us know in the comments below!