The Jacksonville Jaguars placed the franchise tag on left tackle Cam Robinson for the second consecutive season, allowing the two sides the possibility to work out a long-term deal.
It was the first significant collaboration decision between General Manager Trent Baalke and coach Doug Pederson since owner Shad Khan made the decision to hold off from hiring an executive vice president of football operations.
During last week’s NFL Combine, both emphasized that they want to keep a higher percentage of their draft talent around for second contracts.
By keeping him off the open free agent market for the second consecutive year, Robinson will receive a 20% raise that would increase his salary to $16.5 million from the $13.7 million he made in 2021.
BLOCKBUSTER: Broncos land Russell Wilson in trade with Seahawks
NFL OFFSEASON: Aaron Rodgers returning to Packers
By designating Robinson with the franchise tag, the Jaguars will get an extension until July 15 to work out a long term deal. If the Jaguars and Robinson don’t reach an agreement on a new long-term contract, he would play under the one-year, $16.5 million franchise tag in 2022.
With Robinson’s return, the Jaguars could likely bypass selecting Alabama left tackle Evan Neal or North Carolina State left tackle Ikem Ekwonu with the No. 1 overall pick and possibly select Michigan edge rusher Aiden Hutchinson instead to improve their defensive front.
Also, as they indicated during last week’s NFL Combine, the Jaguars could explore trading the No. 1 overall pick.
Robinson is responsible for protecting quarterback Trevor Lawrence’s blind side. Last season, Robinson allowed just one sack in 856 snaps and five penalties, according to Pro Football Focus.
According to ESPN stats and information, Robinson has allowed 29 career sacks. He has started all 61 games he has played for Jacksonville. But in 2018, Robinson missed all but two games after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.
With Robinson expected to return as the team’s starting left tackle, the Jaguars could move emerging second-year player Walker Little to right tackle and have him compete with Jawaan Taylor for the starting job.
Though he had only 224 snaps, PFF issued Little a 68.8 overall grade last season. However, Taylor’s 12 penalties led the league and he allowed six sacks. Taylor’s 60.3 PFF grade was the lowest among the Jaguars offensive line: left guard Andrew Norwell (67.1), second-year starting right guard Ben Bartch (62.7), starting center Brandon Linder (63.0) and backup center Tyler Shatley (60.7), who the Jaguars signed to a two-year, $6.8 million extension last week.
It is the third consecutive season the Jaguars have designated the franchise tag on a player. In 2020, Yannick Ngakoue became the second Jaguars player since kicker Josh Scobee in 2012 to be designated with the franchise tag. However, Ngakoue refused to sign the tag that led to the Jaguars trading him to the Minnesota Vikings.
Robinson joined the Jaguars from Alabama in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft after winning the Outland Trophy as college football’s best interior lineman in 2016.
George is Digismak’s reported cum editor with 13 years of experience in Journalism