(01-14-2024, 12:06 PM)cland Wrote: One thing I would like to point out Big Picture wise, is the overvaluing of draft picks for the current season.  The Jaguars picked a OLmen with their first round pick, relying on picks in the 2nd round and on to plug holes in the OL rarely works out (maybe a C in the second round?) The classic platitude is that you plug holes with FA, and draft future talent with the draft.

So I would blame the 2023 OL issue on the 2021 and 2022 draft, and the lack of success in the 2023 Free Agency.

They went so big in 2022 free agency - they really couldn't do much there in 2023 with Josh Allen and Trevor Lawrence contract extensions looming on the horizon. 

Regarding OL acquisitions in 21/22 - yes they failed there - but there were enough red flags in 2022 they should have sought better competition/contingency/depth coming into the 2023 season. 

Believing they could trust Fortner to improve in year 2 at center with zero backup plan (except a G/C in Shatley that also was straight garbage in 2022) was a major error IMO. 

Believing they could trust a former GM's mid round LG pick to come back from injury and eat enough lunch-meat smoothies to get up to playing weight was also a major blunder that bit them squarely in the backside. 

At least they had contingency at LT even though both players underperformed in a carousel of injury and suspension rotation. 

They got a "good for a rookie" year out of their RT and a "passable with ugly moments" performance out of a woefully overpaid RG. Those two were the "highlights" of an overall inept 2023 OL. 

Picking up a LG during reg. season barely helped as he was coming in hurt and just re-aggravated the injury - and now if they deem him worthy they have to pay him market value to stay.

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