The Jacksonville Jaguars added fairly heavily to the offensive line in free agency. However, it doesn't sound like they are done doing so just yet.
Out of the 10 outside free agent additions made by the Jaguars, four of them were offensive linemen. This included signing Robert Hainsey, Patrick Mekari, Chuma Edoga, and Fred Johnson.
Liam Coen made it known early on that getting more out of the offensive line unit was going to be a priority in Year 1, with him mentioning back in January that this was a unit that "needs to improve."
This was a unit last season that ranked 19th in ESPN's pass-block win rate and 25th in run-block win rate.
GM James Gladstone would echo similar sentiments at the NFL combine when he discussed prioritizing the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball.
The Jaguars' actions in free agency matched the urgency that they've spoken about this offseason, and those signings certainly have helped raise the floor for this unit. However, the work might not be done just yet.
"I think from that standpoint, we're always looking to add to the roster, whether it's through the draft, free agency, things like that," Coen said on Wednesday of the offensive line. "But I do believe we brought in some players to come help compete in that room. Obviously, with (Robert) Hainsey knowing the system, and (Patrick) Mekari playing a lot of football, and guys coming in, it's only going to help."
Naturally, the focus on the outside is on quarterback Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars' passing game getting back on track. However, putting Lawrence in a consistent position to be successful starts with the offensive line providing the offense with a run game to lean on and time in the pocket for Lawrence to operate within the rhythm of the play.
When Coen said there has to be balance around Lawrence, the offensive line play is a critical factor in providing that element.
So given the importance of that position group, it certainly doesn't sound like the Jaguars are going to go into the draft with the mindset of 'we've done enough.'
The contracts handed out in free agency, amount or length-wise, won't preclude the Jaguars from adding to the position in the draft--even early on--and they still don't truly know what they have in the current unit, which is only another reason to continue adding to this group, so they give themselves options.
At the end of the day, creating competition to ensure that the best five are on the field will be a key part of this offseason process.
"(It'll) Help add competitiveness to the room," Coen said of the free agency signings, "and also just some accountability to knowing the system that'll help everybody in that room. So it's cool, both of our centers actually know a version of the system in different ways, but it's only going to help bringing those guys in."
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