Chances the Jaguars Take an Offensive Lineman in Round 1? It Is Possible

Apr 17, 2025 at 10:52 AM

John Oehser

Jaguars Senior Writer

JACKSONVILLE – There are starters available – a lot of them.

That's widely believed about the offensive linemen in the 2025 NFL Draft, and the position is expected to help define the draft's first round and perhaps well beyond.

If you're seeking front-line big players, they can be found.

"It's strong all along the front," Jaguars and NFL Media Draft Analyst Bucky Brooks said of the '25 draft's offensive line class. "There's some comfort in the trenches in terms of looking at the personnel and saying, 'OK, we can get a guy who can start and be effective.'''

Added Brooks, "It's just a really good class of offensive linemen. To me, they far outweigh and outrank the skill guys in this draft."

The question about offensive line in this draft isn't whether there are a lot of good players at the position as much as whether there are linemen worthy of being selected among the draft's top four or five players.

Whatever the answer, the consensus among analysts is as many as eight offensive linemen could be selected in Round 1 – with an even mix of interior linemen and tackles.

"It's a good class inside and outside," Brooks said. "There are a lot of guys who can play."

Among the top offensive linemen in the draft: Tackles Will Campbell of Louisiana State and Armand Membou of Missouri, with each at times projected in the Top 10. Texas offensive tackle Kelvin Banks has been projected as early as No. 9 overall, with Ohio State tackle Jonathan Simmons projected as early as the middle of Round 1.

Ohio State offensive lineman Josh Simmons participates in a drill during the school's NFL football pro day, Wednesday, March 26, 2025, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Brooks also projects Oregon tackle Josh Conerly Jr. as a first-round tackle.

"That's five first-rounders right there at tackle," Brooks said.

ESPN Draft Analyst Mel Kiper Jr. called Membou "a plug-and-play guy," with Campbell considered by some the top available linemen. As with multiple linemen in the class, there is debate in NFL circles about whether Campbell will play inside or outside.

"He [Campbell] could be a perfectly fine tackle, but he could be a Pro Bowl-level guard," ESPN Jordan Reid said. "It's just a matter of measuring the type of potential he has at either position, but there are going to be some teams that allow him to potentially fail at tackle first before they slide inside to guard."

Interior linemen projected in Round 1 include – Tyler Booker of Alabama, Donovan Jackson of Ohio State and Grey Zabel of North Dakota State – with Brooks adding that there are serviceable linemen available throughout the draft.

"You can find guys, but you need to go to a fishing exposition, knowing what you're looking for," Brooks said. "You have to be able to parse through so many names, so many bodies and so many body types and really get to the heart of how you want to play.

"There are some guys that can fit the bill that might have limitations in some areas, but in other areas, there are strengths. Those strengths can be masked because they're only asked to do a handful of things.

"A lot depends on the coaches and scouts getting together to have a clear profile on what they want on the back end."

Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Robert Hainsey and Chuma Edoga arrive for their first day at the Miller Electric Center on March 13, 2025.

HANDICAPPING THE JAGUARS

Offensive line has been an offseason focus for the Jaguars, with improving an inconsistent running game a priority for first-year Head Coach Liam Coen. The Jaguars addressed the position significantly in unrestricted free agency by signing center Robert Hainsey (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), guard Patrick Mekari (Baltimore Ravens) and linemen Chuma Edoga (Dallas Cowboys) and Patrick Johnson (Philadelphia Eagles). The signings filled a projected depth chart, with Hainsey and Mekari projected as starters along with returners Walker Little (left tackle), Ezra Cleveland (left guard) and Anton Harrison (right tackle). Johnson and Edoga are experienced, veteran depth. But while the Jaguars enter the draft with a theoretical starting line and depth, this area remains a very real possibility early in the draft. Free agency appears to have raised the line's level, but the Jaguars will be open to raising it further.

CHANCE JAGUARS TAKE AN OFFENSIVE LINEMAN IN ROUND ONE