Jacksonville Jaguars Sign G Brandon Scherff

NFL Offseason – The Jacksonville Jaguars aren’t cutting corners when it comes to protecting quarterback Trevor Lawrence. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the Jaguars plan to sign former Washington Commanders guard Brandon Scherff to upgrade their offensive line.

Scherff, a seven-year veteran and five-time Pro Bowl selection, played 11 games last season, missing six games with a knee injury and a stint on the COVID list. He ranked first among guards in 2021 in ESPN’s Run Block Win Rate. He was also charged with just nine blown blocks in 655 snaps as a pass protector, per Sports Info Solutions. 

Scherff spent his entire career at right guard, and he’ll likely replace Jaguars free agent A.J. Cann at that position. Ben Bartch, who started in place of Cann for much of the 2021 season, may kick over to left guard or slide onto the bench. The Jaguars franchise-tagged left tackle Cam Robinson at the start of free agency. The Jaguars offensive line ranked 13th in adjusted line yards and 10th in adjusted sack rate last year: surprising numbers for such an awful team. But Robinson, Cann and left guard Andrew Norwell all entered the offseason as free agents, and the Jaguars’ line numbers may be skewed by the amount of time their offense spent facing “prevent” defenses. 

Scherff’s arrival, coupled with the Robinson tag, likely dictates what the Jaguars will do with the first overall pick in the 2022 draft. With the offensive line less of a priority, the Jaguars will probably select Michigan edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson or Oregon edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux. That said, another tackle like Alabama’s Evan Neal could also be on the table: the Jaguars line still has a few holes.

Wes Schweitzer, who played well in Scherff’s absences over the last two seasons, is expected to replace him on the Commanders offensive line.

Overall Brandon Scherff impact:

Don’t pencil the Jaguars into the playoffs or anything, but Trevor Lawrence’s chance of turning the corner in his second season – and the Jaguars’ chances of being competitive and interesting on any given Sunday – just increased substantially.

Fantasy Brandon Scherff impact:

Scherff is a solid run blocker, so James Robinson and Travis Etienne (remember him?) will have a little more room to run in 2022. And, of course, upgrades on the offensive line help the entire offense: a rising tide lifts all boats, even the one Urban Meyer crashed into a pier when steering straight toward a tiki bar.