Protecting Trevor Lawrence is key to how Jacksonville will go with No. 1 draft pick
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – What the Jacksonville Jaguars are going to do with the first overall pick in the NFL draft isn’t as clear as it was when they picked first last season.
That was a no-brainer: They were taking quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
This year, there are multiple options in play: Pass-rushers Aidan Hutchinson and Kayvon Thibodeaux and offensive tackles Evan Neal and Ikem Ekwonu. Maybe even someone else.
The Jaguars’ decision, however, depends on left tackle Cam Robinson.
Robinson is an impending free agent, and the Jaguars must decide what to do with him. Do they use the franchise tag for the second year in a row? Sign him to a long-term deal? Let him walk? If they bring him back, the first pick isn’t likely to be an offensive tackle. If they don’t, they may pick a tackle – but it could be another month before that becomes clear.
The first day teams can use the franchise tag is Tuesday, and they have until 4 p.m. ET on March 8 to do so. If the Jaguars use it on Robinson he’d be owed $16.5 million and the salary would be fully guaranteed. The Jaguars also could try to sign Robinson to a new contract and Spotrac projects a market value of a $16.8 million annual salary, slightly higher than the franchise tag.
Either way, Robinson would be protecting Lawrence’s blind side at least in 2022. The Jaguars could opt to have Robinson also has allowed 29 sacks, per ESPN Stats & Information. For comparison, Taylor has allowed 40 in 12 fewer games.
