Once the draft moves past its quarterback stage, wide receivers are expected to be the focus. This draft also features a few high-level tackle prospects that should go off the board soon after, potentially breaking up the QB-WR string that could lead off this year’s event. Arguably the top tackle available, Joe Alt, has begun his run of pre-draft visits. The Jets and Titans used “30” visits on the Notre Dame tackle this week, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets. A first-team All-American in back-to-back years and the top tackle on Daniel Jeremiah’s NFL.com big board (No. 8 overall), Alt should not need to wait long before his name comes off the board.
The Titans (No. 7) and Jets (No. 10) figure to be two prime suitors. The Jets are not as needy here compared to the start of free agency, having reacquired Morgan Moses via trade and signed Tyron Smith. The All-Decade blocker is among the NFL’s most injury-prone players, and with both Smith and Moses going into age-33 seasons, a tackle-in-waiting would benefit a Jets team that has encountered regular issues up front over the past several years. The Titans cut Andre Dillard and have not added a tackle, potentially making them the Alt floor. Though, the Chargers should not be entirely ruled out — now that Jim Harbaugh is running the show — of a first-round tackle investment to pair with Rashawn Slater.
Here is the latest from the O-line ranks around the league:
- The player the Jets were closely linked to in the 2023 first round, Broderick Jones slipped away after the Steelers (via the Patriots) traded in front of them to nab the Georgia blocker. Jones could not beat out Dan Moore for the Steelers’ left tackle job and ended up replacing Chukwuma Okorafor at RT around midseason. When the Steelers begin their 2024 season, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac expects Jones to be flipped to the blind side. Sliding Jones to the position he primarily played in college would stand to move Moore to right tackle. Moore has been Pittsburgh’s left tackle throughout his three-year career. A Jonah Williams-like contract-year shift would be interesting.
- With the Rams set to slide Steve Avila from guard to center, Sean McVay said (via TheRams.com’s Stu Jackson) that was not Plan A this offseason. The Rams wanted to retain their 2023 center starter, Coleman Shelton, but he voided his contract en route to free agency. The Rams also expected Jonah Jackson to re-sign with the Lions. While Detroit tried to keep Jackson, his price tag reached a point of no return, leading the Lions to cheaper options. Shelton ended up with the Bears on a one-year, $3MM deal. He is not a lock to open the season as Chicago’s starter.
- One of the Lions’ guard solutions came from the Ravens, with Kevin Zeitler leaving for Detroit. The Ravens must replace Zeitler, Moses and John Simpson (Jets) up front. One option will be Josh Jones, a part-time Cardinals and Texans starter. John Harbaugh said (via The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec) the team has not determined if the former third-round pick will play guard or tackle. Jones has seen extensive work at left tackle, right tackle and right guard as a pro. He last played guard regularly in 2021, however. The D.J. Humphries and Laremy Tunsil injury replacement could be an emergency backup for the injury-plagued Ronnie Stanley, but Baltimore may well need Jones to start.
- Although George Fant can earn up to $12MM on his two-year Seahawks deal, ESPN.com’s Brady Henderson notes the contract’s base value checks in at $9.1MM. The two-stint Seahawk secured $3.7MM guaranteed. Center Nick Harris‘ deal is worth $2.51MM, per Henderson, with only a $1MM signing bonus guaranteed. Ex-Ram Tremayne Anchrum‘s Seahawks deal is worth only $1.16MM ($100K guaranteed), Henderson adds. The Seahawks are still looking for guard help.
- Jermaine Eluemunor‘s Giants deal is worth $14MM, per The Athletic’s Dan Duggan; the deal includes $6.75MM guaranteed. This marks a big step up for the veteran, who played out a one-year, $3MM Raiders pact in 2023.
That Jet situation just sounds like a train wreck waiting to happen.