The Jacksonville Jaguars are in the market for a left tackle. Just last week, the Jaguars were forced to make a decision on Kelvin Beachum. Instead of picking up his long-term option to keep him in Jacksonville for the next few years they decided to let him go test the free agency market. Now, rumor has it there may be a reason as to why they decided to open up a new hole on the offensive line.
Branden Albert to the Jacksonville Jaguars?
According to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, the Jaguars and Dolphins are working on to send Julius Thomas to the Dolphins while bringing Branden Albert to Jacksonville.
This, of course, would fill the glaring hole at left tackle left by Kelvin Beachum. The free agency market looks at left tackle and the lack of top end options in the draft many were puzzled as to why the Jaguars would let Beachum walk with the other holes on the offensive line they have. Beachum had his ups and downs this past year and struggled mightily in run blocking, but this was only one season removed from an ACL tear that takes time to get back from. Now with the rumor of Albert coming in, it makes more sense.
Branden Albert has had his fair share of injuries, as has Julius Thomas who figures to be heading to Miami, but when healthy he is an obvious upgrade over Beachum. He is getting older and isn’t likely to be a long-term option for the Jaguars but with Tom Coughlin running the show the Jaguars are wanting to win and win now.
This move shows that as Albert turns 33 years old this November. That shouldn’t matter in the grand scheme of things as Julius Thomas likely wasn’t a long-term fixture here either and has made little impact since getting his payday here in Jacksonville. The NFL Draft this year figures to have a lot of potential replacements in it to replace Thomas.
Albert improves the left tackle position for the Jaguars and is a much better run blocker than Beachum was this past season. The team still needs to find a new left guard and possibly right tackle this off-season at some point. Julius Thomas reunites with Denver Broncos offensive coordinator
Julius Thomas reunites with Adam Gase
For the Dolphins, they get a tight end that last had a productive season in Denver with the then Denver Broncos offensive coordinator and now Miami Dolphins head coach Adam Gase. He seems to be a shell of his former self in Denver as he has really slowed down and has had the injury bug often in recent seasons similar to Albert.
Ultimately, this is a much needed change of scenery for both players. The Dolphins drafted Laremy Tunsil in round one of last year’s draft and want to get him locked in at left tackle this season. The Jaguars have an obvious need at the position and Julius Thomas was likely on the outs at some point this off-season.
