The Jacksonville Jaguars have made a strong effort to raise the roster's ceiling this offseason. Part of it was addressing key needs in free agency and adding potential playmakers in the NFL Draft. Another step will involve having a handful of incumbent starters compete for their jobs. Mark Long of the Associated Press believes offensive tackles Anton Harrison and Walker Little could be among them.
Long made an appearance on 1010 XL and singled right tackle as a position the team's brass isn't pleased with, pointing out that both Little and Harrison could start Organized Team Activities with the second team and will need to work their way up to the starting lineup.
"They're not happy at right tackle. Now, what can you do to motivate Anton Harrison and Walker Little? You bring in competition. That's what's going to motivate them," Long said. "So, how about this? How about start camp OTAs with them as a second team, with Walker Little and Anton Harrison running with twos? Because I would, I've heard that that is the plan, to start those two guys with a second team just to light a fire under their butt to show them hey, this is not your position. This is wide open."
A popular adage says that iron sharpens iron, and when you take into account that the new regime inherited both Little and Harrison, it's easy to see why Jacksonville would want them to earn their jobs.
Back in free agency, the front office signed Fred Johnson and Chuma Edoga. Both of them have been mostly reserves throughout their career, but could most definitely be offered the chance to compete in training camp.
Johnson showed promise when he filled in for Jordan Mailata at left tackle during the Philadelphia Eagles' Super Bowl run. On the other hand, Edoga wasn't able to earn a featured role with the New York Jets or the Dallas Cowboys but has enough experience to make you think that he could make a push for a starting job.
Walker Little and Anton Harrison have the talent to start for the Jaguars
After a rough start to his rookie campaign, Anton Harrison finished 2023 strong. However, he wasn't able to build off of that progress last year. On the other hand, Walker Little has flashed throughout his career but has never started a full season. The team's brass surely went over their tape from last season and concluded that both of them left much to be desired. Working in their favor is that they'll get a clean slate under offensive line coach Shaun Sarrett.
Sarrett was hired to replace Phil Rauscher, who wasn't able to get the most out of the offensive line. Heck, you could make a case that the group as a whole regressed last year, which is why nobody batted an eye when he got the boot.
It also helps that Little and Harrison didn't deal with serious injuries last year, so they should be able to fend off Fred Johnson and Chuma Edoga.
As Mark Long noted, having to compete for their job should light a fire under both Walker Little and Anton Harrison. If it doesn't, they should lose their jobs. That said, both of them have shown enough in the past to make you think they'll come out on top, and even better than in years prior.
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