Former Wisconsin offensive lineman Cole Van Lanen earned ProFootballFocus ‘Offensive Player of the Week’ honors for NFL Preseason Week 2 on Monday.
The nod arrived following Van Lanen’s stellar NFL preseason output against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Aug. 17. In two preseason contests as the Jacksonville Jaguars starting right tackle, the former Big Ten standout has yet to allow a single pressure in 112 offensive snaps. That also includes zero pressures on 63 pass-block snaps, per Jaguars analyst Daniel Griffis.
Van Lanen was also the highest-graded Jaguar following the team’s 20-17 victory over the Buccaneers. His 91.0 overall grade bested linebacker Tanner Muse (90.3), cornerback Tre Flowers (86.6), wide receiver Parker Washington (85.7) and left tackle Walker Little (83.2), per PFF.
PFF names #Jaguars OL Cole Van Lanen as their ‘Offensive Player of the Week.’
Through two weeks of Preseason, Van Lanen is PFF’s highest graded OL and run-blocker. He has also allowed ZERO pressures on 63 pass-block snaps. pic.twitter.com/wnbZ1ihAcB
— Daniel Griffis (@DanDGriffis) August 20, 2024
Following his multi-year career in Madison with the Badgers, the Green Bay Packers selected Van Lanen in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Green Bay shipped him to Jacksonville ahead of the 2022 slate. Through two seasons with the Jaguars, the Wisconsin native logged just 71 offensive snaps.
He is currently listed at No. 3 on his platoon’s left tackle depth chart, but his preseason performances suggest otherwise. If provided the opportunity, Van Lanen is a serviceable replacement at tackle.