The NFL’s 2024 league season will kick off in a few days. The formal opening of the free agency window is on March 13 at 4 p.m. ET, which means it’s time to check in on the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Regretfully, the following is a compliment done behind your back: Among the offensive linemen for the Jaguars, Cam Robinson is the best.
Although the 2023 season set a low standard, that is still the reality. Even though Robinson was suspended for the first few games of the season and missed a few more because of injury, he was still the best tackle when he was available.
Scouts recognized potential in Little before his injury in college, but he hasn’t quite lived up to it. Despite his knee injury in 2019 and his opt-out season in 2020, the Jaguars’ decision to select him in the second round seemed wise, but 2024 will truly determine the success of the investment.
The possibility that Little will be Jacksonville’s starting quarterback could make or break Robinson’s future. Little did, after all, make 11 starts in 2023. However, given Little’s past performance, it’s difficult to feel secure in Little’s ability to manage QB Trevor Lawrence’s health.
On the other hand, Little’s release is not very motivated. There would be minimal gain from a release due to his low pay, but the Jaguars might “cash out” on  Little with a trade
For his 2023 season, Anton Harrison received an overall rating of 53 from Pro Football Focus, although most Jaguars supporters likely felt he deserved a little bit higher. As a rookie, Harrison was given a lofty order, but overall, he wasn’t any less of a liability than the other offensive linemen.
To be honest, not much can be said about Harrison. Because of his rookie contract, he is committed for a minimum of three years, so there’s no reason to believe Jacksonville will cut him loose. The Jaguars won’t have to worry about Harrison for at least another season.
A few players are difficult to categorize as tackles or guards, but since Hodges played tackle in college, we’ll count him as a tackle. Hodges, who was chosen in the seventh round of the previous year’s draft, is starting his second season in Jacksonville.
After missing every snap of action in 2023 due to a knee injury, he will be looking to return to the field in 2024. The former Baker County player will have a difficult time making the 53-man roster, though, and how Jacksonville strengthens the offensive line this summer will determine what kind of draft and free agency talent the team adds.
Taking everything into account, the Jaguars’ 2022–2023 acquisition of Blake Hance proved to be a wise choice. Hance has made 26 appearances for the Jaguars since they needed a replacement, so he’s not exactly a world beater.
In 2023, Hance will be paid $940,000, thus it makes sense to bring him back. However, the Jaguars must look to the draft to uncover talent if they are to improve the offensive line as a whole. Although Hance hasn’t signed with a new team yet, Jacksonville will probably choose a number of tackles in the draft to try to identify their depth alternatives moving forward.
Van Lanen only saw 53 offensive snaps in 2023, mostly as a result of Anton Harrison’s reliable and healthy play. Though it means there isn’t much to look at for the former Wisconsin Badger, the Jaguars clearly prefer that.
In 2024, Van Lanen will take the free agency test for the first time in his career. This is his first NFL offseason without an active contract since he was dealt to the Jaguars in 2022 after being picked by the Green Bay Packers.
