JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Left tackle has been a rotating door for the Jaguars. Branden Albert will be the third player in as many years that’s been given the job of protecting Blake Bortles’ blind side.
After being a no show at OTA’s, Albert was present for mandatory minicamp and promised that the contract dispute was a thing of the past. The former 2x Pro Bowler was a relatively inexpensive pickup via trade in March. Just in case things don’t work out with Albert the Jaguars drafted Cam Robinson as his eventual replacement.
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Position: Left tackle
2016 Stats: Allowed three sacks and was penalized three times in 12 starts for Miami last season.
2017 Projection: The Jaguars coaching staff and front office has expressed several times that they would like to put their best five offensive lineman on the field and figure out the positions later. In theory that sounds like a good plan, but having questions about who those five players are a week before training camp isn’t a good sign.
Although Albert played guard in college he has made it very clear that it’s his intention to play left tackle. While he was noticeably and admittedly not in football shape during mandatory minicamp he’s had a month to get that fixed. It would be a surprise if Albert isn’t the opening day starter at left tackle.
Key stat: In 2016 quarterback Blake Bortles was sacked 34 times.
From the locker room:
Albert on the Jaguars drafting fellow left tackle Cam Robinson:
“It’s good for the team. That makes sure I don’t stay complacent. That makes sure that I work out. I didn’t take it for granted. It happened to me in Kansas City. It happened to be in Miami. It’s nothing new. I’m going to help Cam the best that I can to make him a better player. I’m secure in myself as a man and as a football player and as a man of the Lord. Nothing shakes me. I don’t fear anything. I don’t mean that in any old way. I’m going to help each and every young guy the best that I can and help myself at the same time.”