Even though left tackle Walker Little has recently been getting a bit of love, he's still flying under the radar. This is understandable when you take into account that he's never started a full season since the Jacksonville Jaguars drafted him in 2022. However, that's about to change, and a beat writer thinks that it might lead to the first Pro Bowl berth of his NFL career.
John Shipley of Sports Illustrated came up with three pressing questions about Jacksonville's offensive tackles ahead of training camp. One of them is whether Little will make a leap in Year 5. Here's the skinny.
"For only the second time in his career, Little is set to be the Week 1 starter at left tackle--and the first time it happened was because of a suspension for former left tackle Cam Robinson," Shipley wrote. "Little has earned the role, however, and has often been the best offensive tackle on the roster since he was drafted in 2021."
Shipley continued, "But with Little now in the role for good entering the season, it should be expected for him to take a leap forward. He has been a good offensive tackle throughout his career, but the lack of consistent starting reps kept him from become great. Will that change in 2025?"
Although Shipley asks an open-ended question, he believes that Little will indeed take the leap, going as far as saying that he'll have a realistic chance to make his first Pro Bowl ever. He stated as much on Twitter.
hot take: walker little gets pro bowl consideration now that he is actually being allowed to, you know, play https://t.co/H345BKJ0vj
— John Shipley (@_John_Shipley) July 13, 2025
A second-round pick in 2021, Little struggled early as a rookie but finished the year on a high note, giving up no sacks and just three total pressures in the last four games. Unfortunately, he wasn't able to build off of his strong finish, as the Jags gave Cam Robinson a multi-year extension that ensured he would remain at left tackle.
With Robinson firmly entrenched as Trevor Lawrence's blindside protector, Little competed with Jawaan Taylor for the right tackle job. Even though he took the battle to the wire, he lost and became the swing tackle in 2022. Again, the Texas native shone whenever he was thrust into action.
Little did get a break and a chance to showcase his talent, when Robinson was suspended the first four games of the 2023 season. Again, he made the most of his chances but got back to the sidelines once Robinson served his suspension. After that, it looked like the team's brass didn't know what to do with him, as he was bumped inside when left guard Ezra Cleveland got hurt.
Early on, 2024 seemed to be more of the same for Little, as he began the season as the primary backup. But then, he was promoted to the starting lineup when Robinson was traded before the deadline. The former Stanford Cardinal struggled at times but generally fared well, and for the first time in his career — barring something unexpected — he'll tentatively be the starter the whole campaign.
Why Walker Little can have a breakout season with the Jaguars in 2025
As noted before, it looked like the past regime was either too high on Cam Robinson or didn't trust Walker Little nearly enough. Regardless of the reason, the former is now gone, and the latter should have no trouble running away with the starting job. Sure, the front office signed Fred Johnson in free agency, and while he proved to be a valuable backup during the Philadelphia Eagles' Super Bowl run, he's not really a threat to Little.
And that's the thing, based on the contract Johnson signed, it's hard to see a clear path for him to the starting lineup. Instead, expect him to compete with fellow offensive lineman Cole Van Lanen for the swing tackle job.
Circling back to Little, for the first time in his career, he's entering training camp as the favorite to be Trevor Lawrence's blindside protector full-time. Could he come crashing down and begin the season on the sidelines? You bet, but it's highly unlikely. In fact, his odds of making the Pro Bowl should be significantly higher.
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