One of the biggest issues plaguing the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2024 was their inability to set the tone at the line of scrimmage. That's why it wasn't particularly shocking to see the new regime make a strong effort to beef up the offensive line in the offseason.
Signing Patrick Mekari and Robert Hainsey in free agency were among the team's most notable moves. However, they were far from the only ones they made. A few of them, in particular, will provide much-needed depth and could ultimately spell doom for an underachieving draft pick.
Aside from inking Mekari and Hainsey, the Jags signed Chuma Edoga and Fred Johnson. Moreover, they gave Cole Van Lanen a one-year tender, ensuring that he remains in Jacksonville next season. Heading into training camp, it's fair to say that the team's brass accomplished their goal of improving the roster floor. Overall, that's great news, but it could ultimately affect 2024 fourth-round pick Javon Foster.
Why Javon Foster probably won't be with the Jaguars in 2025
A fourth-round pick in the 2024 draft, Foster was a healthy scratch several times as a rookie. And while most early Day 3 picks are seen as developmental prospects, his ceiling isn't particularly high, especially when you take into account that he'll be 25 by the time next season starts. For context, Trevor Lawrence is entering his fifth year in the NFL and is the same age as his sophomore counterpart.
Now, Foster will be given a legitimate chance to compete, but his odds don't look particularly great ahead of training camp. For starters, there's no indication that he made strides in the offseason program. But even if he did, he will need to compete with (and beat) Cole Van Lanen and Fred Johnson. It's fair to assume that both of them have an edge by virtue of having more experience.
On top of that, the new regime inherited Foster and has no attachment to him. If general manager James Gladstone has made one thing clear is that he's not afraid to cut ties with underachieving players — even if they're recent draft picks — that his predecessor, Trent Baalke, brought in.
Despite leaving a significant cap charge for 2026, free-agent bust Gabe Davis was given his walking papers because the Jags didn't think it made sense to keep him around. Similarly, Jacksonville released 2024 fifth-round pick Keilan Robinson following the draft. Simply, the team's brass didn't see the value in holding onto him.
And if the Jags didn't hesitate to move on from Robinson, what makes you think that Foster will be safe? Again, he'll be given a chance to make an impression, but based on the team's recent trends, the roster moves, and his play dating back to last year, it may be a matter of time before he walks the plank.
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