According to multiple reports, the Jacksonville Jaguars have traded with the New York Giants for massive offensive guard Daniel Faalele. Faalele was signed this offseason by the Giants after four years with the Baltimore Ravens under now-Giants head coach John Harbaugh. The Jaguars have sent an undisclosed third-day draft pick for the 6’8″, 380-pound lineman. As the dust settles and the bags start to be packed for Faalele, the questions surrounding the Jaguars’ offensive line grow even louder with this trade.
What are the Jaguars getting with Daniel Faalele?
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The Jacksonville fanbase should keep their expectations low with this move. Yes, he is a massive human being who, in theory, should add a level of physicality off measurables alone. However, on the field, to say he has been less than stellar would be putting it mildly. Faalele has started all 34 games in the past two seasons and has struggled to put together his elite frame with his below-average athleticism. Over the past two seasons, Faalele has 10 total penalties: five holding calls, three false starts, and two penalties that were either declined or offsetting, according to Pro Football Reference.
Outside of that, his lack of athleticism shows up in numerous ways, from defensive linemen beating his slow feet to his inability to move efficiently on screens and climbing to the second level.
All that being said, the Jaguars do need interior bodies, and you’re not going to find a bigger one available right now than Faalele. Overall, it’s not the most inspiring move, but it’s a low-risk transaction; he’s on a one-year, $1.4 million veteran minimum contract that can give Jacksonville some experience along the line.
What is Going On With the Jaguars Interior?
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To make a move like this so close to the start of the season, there must be some serious issues surrounding the interior of the line for Jacksonville. Patrick Mekari’s timeline back to the field is still unknown, and Wyatt Milum has suffered his own ailments throughout camp.
With the acquisition of Faalele, we can expect to see him, Pregnon, Milum, Jerome Carvin, and recent acquisition Timothy McKay all on Friday against the Carolina Panthers. It’s an opportunity for everyone involved to grab a potential backup role on the team that was not available before.
