By the end of the Jacksonville Jaguars' training camp Friday, a quiet before the storm is starting to emerge.
Only three more practices (Sunday is an off day) before the Jaguars don pads and the physicality of what lies ahead becomes real.
While there should be some interesting competition for a lot of backup roles, no starting job battle will be more intriguing than Cam Robinson and Walker Little vying for the coveted left tackle spot in contract years.
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It feels like Robinson, a 2017 second-round draft pick, is somewhat the leader in the clubhouse, though the Jaguars are quick to emphasize it’s an open competition to earn the job of being Trevor Lawrence’s blind-side protector.
“I think both guys are in a sense battling for their careers as Jaguars,” said third-year offensive line coach Phil Rauscher. “Overall, they’re putting themselves in a position right now for the next four, five weeks to make the decision for us. At the end of the day, the cream will rise to the top.
“Just like the first year I was here with Jawaan [Taylor] and Walker [competing at right tackle], the battle will go and we’ll see who wins it. We’re excited about that.”
Robinson would be expensive backup
Robinson’s contract situation is much different than Walker, which could complicate the decision on who starts if it’s a close battle.
While Walker, also a second-round pick in 2021, is making a modest $1,699,323 in the final year of his rookie deal, Robinson is in his last year of a $52.75 contract extension he received before the 2022 season. His 2024 salary is $16.25 million, with a cap hit of $21.168 million.
Robinson, who cramped up at Friday's practice before returning to the field, has not been as available as the Jaguars would like for being among the team’s highest-paid players. He missed eight games last season either because of a PED suspension or knee injury. Over his seven-year career, he’s played only one full season and missed 30 games for various reasons.
The Jaguars could release or trade Robinson if he doesn’t win the job, thus saving over $17 million on the cap. At Little’s price tag, especially being a Swiss Army knife in having been a starting tackle, starting guard and swing tackle, he’s virtually certain to remain in Jacksonville this season.
How much the money factor plays into the decision on either tackle’s future in Jacksonville, especially when Little becomes a free agent, is still a mystery.
“I think that a lot of people are going to make that decision on how that plays out,” said Rauscher. “That’s what training camp is for, to have the meetings, to have the discussions.”
Identifying the best five
This early in camp, the Jaguars prefer to emphasize that most O-line jobs are up for grabs, but the truth is four of them are pretty much on lockdown — right tackle Anton Harrison, right guard Brandon Scherff, center Mitch Morse and left guard Ezra Cleveland.
Cooper Hodges and Blake Hance at guard, former starter Luke Fortner at center and rookie Javon Foster at tackle are likely top candidates for backup roles.
But it’s no secret the highest-profile job in the trenches will come down to the same two guys that battled it out last year, albeit under different circumstances with all of Robinson’s absences.
Little, who missed time with a hamstring issue last year, says it won’t change his approach in camp or his relationship with Robinson.
“From the outside looking in, it may be made out to be more. For me and most people, you’re just trying to do your best in camp. As a competitor, you’re trying to win every rep you’re out there.
“Me and Cam have had a great relationship. We’ve been going at it for a few years now. He’s been a phenomenal teammate. I can never ask for a better guy to learn from or lead our offensive line group.”
With both Little and Robinson trying to set themselves up for a future payday at the highest-salaried line position, this left tackle competition is shaping up to be the most compelling battle in Jaguars’ camp.
It’ll be a lot more fascinating to watch once the pads go on.
Gfrenette@jacksonville.com : (904) 359-4540; follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @genefrenette
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Fierce camp battle coming for Jaguars with Cam Robinson, Walker Little | Gene Frenette
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