Jacksonville Jaguars: 1st-Round Pick Not Guaranteed Tackle Job

As previously discussed on Gridiron Heroics, the Jacksonville Jaguars have two vacant starting offensive line positions this offseason. Currently, Ezra Cleveland leads the left guard competition as rookie Wyatt Milum is on his tail. The Jaguars will also hold a right tackle competition between an incumbent and a veteran free-agent acquisition.

Also Read: Jacksonville Jaguars: Rookie Vying for Key Offensive Line Position

Jacksonville Jaguars’ incumbent has held the spot for the last two seasons

Anton Harrison has taken over as the starting right tackle over his first two seasons in the NFL, starting 33 of 34 regular-season games. After a solid rookie season, he took a slight step back in production in 2024. Harrison allowed 31 pressures, four quarterback hits, and four sacks, posting a 65.9 pass-blocking grade, a 57.0 run-blocking grade, and a 64.2 PFF grade, ranking 68th, 91st, and 58th among 140 qualified offensive tackles.

The former first-round pick will compete against Chuma Edoga.

Jacksonville Jaguars’ 1st-round pick not guaranteed tackle job

So far, Anton Harrison has split first-team reps with Chuma Edoga throughout OTAs and mandatory minicamp. According to Michael DiRocco of ESPN, neither the third-year player nor the free-agent acquisition has stood out or taken the early lead. As DiRocco points out, the right tackle competition between Harrison and Edoga will not be decided until training camp once they put the pads on.

“He didn’t make big strides in the spring, either. He missed one of the OTAs open to the media because of an illness and when he was healthy and participating in the OTAs and minicamp open to the media he rotated with free-agent signee Chuma Edoga with the starters,” DiRocco said.

“That was a subtle message to Harrison to come into training camp with a little more intensity. This will be Harrison’s third season and the Jaguars will have to decide whether to pick up his fifth-year option next spring. A marked improvement would make that decision easier. Another season with little to none could put right tackle in the upper part of the Jaguars’ needs list.”

He faces a pivotal third season

Anton Harrison has a fully guaranteed 5th-year option due in May 2026 for the 2027 season. If he plays well, meets the playing time threshold for Tier 2, or makes a Pro Bowl on the original ballot this season for Tier 3 and is accepted, he could earn significantly more than the basic Tier 1. If he struggles or loses the starting job, the front office will likely decline the option, making him a free agent in 2027.

For More Great Gridiron Heroics Content:

Follow me on X @JacksonLoschko, and follow us @GridironHeroics for more great content. If you have any questions, you can message me on LinkedIn. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in NFL and College Football, click here.

Thank you for reading my articles. It is greatly appreciated.