Tag: Ben Bartch

5 Jaguars players most likely to get moved at the 2023 trade deadline

The Jaguars won’t be big sellers at the trade deadline, but there are a few players on the roster that the team might not mind moving.

There’s no reason for the Jacksonville Jaguars to be sellers before the NFL’s Oct. 31 trade deadline.

Still, if a team comes calling it never hurts to listen. And while the Jaguars won’t be interested in parting with any players who could play an integral role in the team making a postseason run, there are a few players on the roster who they could do just fine without.

It’s unlikely that Jacksonville will want to part with players from its AFC South-leading roster. But if the team does make a deal that sends someone elsewhere, here are five Jaguars players who are the most likely to get traded ahead of the deadline:

Tyler Shatley starts at left guard ahead of Ben Bartch in Week 4

The Jaguars tweaked their offensive line Sunday, inserting Tyler Shatley into the starting lineup.

The Jacksonville Jaguars made a change to their offensive line Sunday, inserting veteran Tyler Shatley into the starting lineup at left guard ahead of Ben Bartch.

The decision comes after Jaguars coach Doug Pederson all but called Bartch the weak link on the line through the first three weeks.

“[Anton Harrison] is still learning, just getting a feel and a sense of playing at this level and all the different rushes that he’s seeing,” Pederson said Monday. “Ben [Bartch] is still working through getting back into playing and he got beat a few times. I think Luke [Fortner] and Brandon [Scherff] and Walker [Little] are the three consistent guys right now.”

While that set the stage for Shatley to take over starting duties, Bartch was still listed as the first-team left guard on the depth chart all the way up to kickoff Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons.

Bartch suffered a season-ending knee injury early in the 2022 season and was replaced by Shatley who started the last 12 games of the season as well as the Jaguars’ two postseason games.

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Ben Bartch feels ‘free again’ after returning to practice field

More than 10 months since suffering a season-ending knee injury, Jaguars guard Ben Bartch is finally back on the practice field.

The 2022 season ended for Jacksonville Jaguars offensive lineman Ben Bartch on Oct. 9 when he suffered a season-ending knee injury. When the team began training camp more than nine months later, Bartch still wasn’t quite ready to hit the practice field.

After a stint on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, Bartch was finally added to the active roster early last week and rejoined the team fully this Monday.

“It’s exciting,” Bartch told Mia O’Brien of 1010XL on Wednesday. “You feel like you’re free again and you can join your brothers and play football. It’s such a tease being right on the side doing bags and them taking your helmet away. Now I’m able to practice and get to work and help us get better.”

Bartch, 25, earned the starting left guard job in camp a year ago and was replaced in the lineup by Tyler Shatley after suffering his knee injury. With both Bartch and Shatley sidelined for much of camp (the latter was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation earlier in August), the starting left guard has been an unsolved mystery.

Blake Hance sits at the top of the depth chart for now, and there have been talks of Walker Little stepping in to the role after Cam Robinson returns from suspension. But Bartch may be in line to reclaim his spot in the lineup now that’s healthy again.

“[I’m] coming back, feeling stronger in some areas than pre-surgery,” Bartch told O’Brien. “Coming back with a new mindset and a little bit of reset. A different lens [I’m] looking through now.”

Bartch was a fourth-round pick in the 2020 NFL draft and is entering the final year of his rookie contract with the Jaguars.

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Jaguars activate G Ben Bartch from PUP list

Ben Bartch is back on the Jaguars’ active roster 10 months after a knee injury ended his 2022 season.

Jacksonville Jaguars guard Ben Bartch is back on the team’s active roster after beginning training camp on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, the team announced Monday.

Bartch, 25, earned the starting left guard job in camp last year, but suffered a season-ending knee injury in October. Veteran Tyler Shatley took over starting duties for the remainder of the season.

With both Bartch and Shatley temporarily out of action in camp, Blake Hance is currently listed as the Jaguars’ starting left guard on the first unofficial depth chart of the year.

Bartch was selected by the Jaguars in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL draft and has played multiple spots on the offensive line during his three seasons with the team. Bartch is currently due to become a free agent after the 2023 season.

Jacksonville has two preseason games left before a regular season opener against the Indianapolis Colts on Sept. 10.

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5 takeaways from Jaguars’ first unofficial depth chart

The Jaguars’ first depth chart of the year shows coaches are impressed with rookie Tank Bigsby.

The Jacksonville Jaguars are just a few days from their preseason opener against the Dallas Cowboys and released an unofficial depth chart ahead of the matchup.

Some of it has been affected by injuries, though. For example, former starting left guard Ben Bartch off the depth chart entirely while on the PUP list. Tyler Shatley took over starting duties last season following Bartch’s season-ending injury, but Shatley is at the bottom of the chart while recovering from an irregular heartbeat.

Still, there are some decisions from the coaching staff that jump off the page in the first depth chart. Here are five takeaways:

Jaguars 2023 roster review: OL Ben Bartch

Ben Bartch is still recovering from a knee injury as he enters the final year of his rookie deal with the Jaguars.

The brunt of the offseason is in the books and training camp is underway. Join us for a player-by-player review of the Jaguars roster ahead of the 2023 season.

The Jacksonville Jaguars got back on the practice field Wednesday for the start of training camp, but guard Ben Bartch wasn’t ready to participate.

After winning the starting left guard job in camp last year, Bartch played in just five games before suffering a season-ending knee injury in October. Nine months removed from the injury, Bartch is still working to get back on the field.

Bartch, 25, spent the majority of his rookie season on the bench, but was called in for starting right guard duties in 2021. He slid to the left side after the Jaguars spent big to sign Brandon Scherff in free agency.

Now Bartch is entering the final year of his rookie deal while trying to recover quick enough to earn back his spot in the starting lineup.

Contract (2023): $2,743,000 base salary, $190,904 prorated signing bonus, $2,933,904 cap hit.

Acquired: The Jaguars drafted Bartch with the No. 116 overall pick in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL draft.

PFF grades:

  • 60.5 (2022)
  • 62.1 (2021)
  • 58.5 (2020)

Highlight:

Quote: “He’s progressing well. I don’t know that he’s gonna be ready for the first day of camp. But he’s ahead of schedule as of right now” – Jaguars GM Trent Baalke on Bartch

Calvin Ridley (No. 0) Travis Etienne Jr. (No. 1) Rayshawn Jenkins (No. 2) C.J. Beathard (No. 3) Tank Bigsby (No. 4) Andre Cisco (No. 5)
Chris Claybrooks (No. 6) Zay Jones (No. 7) Logan Cooke (No. 9) Parker Washington (No. 11) James McCourt (No. 12) Christian Kirk (No. 13)
Kendric Pryor (No. 14) Tim Jones (No. 15) Trevor Lawrence (No. 16) Evan Engram (No. 17) Nathan Rourke (No. 18) Sammis Reyes (No. 19)
Daniel Thomas (No. 20) Latavious Brini (No. 21) JaMycal Hasty (No. 22) Foyesade Oluokun (No. 23) Snoop Conner (No. 24) D’Ernest Johnson (No. 25)
Antonio Johnson (No. 26) Divaad Wilson (No. 27) Tevaughn Campbell (No. 29) Montaric Brown (No. 30) Darious Williams (No. 31) Tyson Campbell (No. 32)
Devin Lloyd (No. 33) Gregory Junior (No. 34) Ayo Oyelola (No. 35) Christian Braswell (No. 36) Tre Herndon (No. 37) Qadree Ollison (No. 38)
Jamal Agnew (No. 39) Erick Hallett (No. 40) Josh Allen (No. 41) Andrew Wingard (No. 42) Kaleb Hayes (No. 43) Derek Parish (No. 43)
Travon Walker (No. 44) K’Lavon Chaisson (No. 45) Ross Matiscik (No. 46) De’Shaan Dixon (No. 47) Chad Muma (No. 48) Shaquille Quarterman (No. 50)
Ventrell Miller (No. 51) DaVon Hamilton (No. 52) Willie Taylor III (No. 53) DJ Coleman (No. 54) Dequan Jackson (No. 55) Yasir Abdullah (No. 56)
Caleb Johnson (No. 57) Raymond Vohasek (No. 59) Darryl Williams (No. 60) Samuel Jackson (No. 62) Coy Cronk (No. 64) Chandler Brewer (No. 67)
Brandon Scherff (No. 68) Tyler Shatley (No. 69) Cole Van Lanen (No. 70) Walker Little (No. 72) Blake Hance (No. 73) Cam Robinson (No. 74)
Cooper Hodges (No. 75) Anton Harrison (No. 76) Josh Wells (No. 77) Ben Bartch (No. 78) Luke Fortner (No. 79) Kevin Austin Jr. (No. 80)
Seth Williams (No. 81) Elijah Cooks (No. 84) Brenton Strange (No. 85) Gerrit Prince (No. 86) Jaray Jenkins (No. 87) Oliver Martin (No. 88)
Luke Farrell (No. 89) Henry Mondeaux (No. 90) Dawuane Smoot (No. 91) Jordan Smith (No. 92) Tyler Lacy (No. 93) Folorunso Fatukasi (No. 94)
Roy Robertson-Harris (No. 95) Adam Gotsis (No. 96) Michael Dogbe (No. 98) Jeremiah Ledbetter (No. 99) Brandon McManus Jacob Harris
Josh Pederson

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Jaguars place G Ben Bartch on PUP list to begin training camp

Jaguars guard Ben Bartch is still working to return from a season-ending knee injury and will start training camp on the PUP list.

The Jacksonville Jaguars placed guard Ben Bartch on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list Saturday.

Bartch, who turned 25 on Saturday, suffered a season-ending knee injury in October of the 2022 season. While on the PUP list, Bartch may participate in team meetings and use the new facilities at Miller Electric Center, but cannot practice with the team until he’s moved to the active roster.

The 2020 fourth-round pick started 11 games in his second NFL season and won the starting left guard job last year in training camp. After going down in Week 5, Bartch was replaced by veteran Tyler Shatley.

With Bartch still working to return from the injury, Shatley would appear to have the inside track to continue to fill the left guard spot into the 2023 season.

Bartch is entering the final season of his rookie contract and is due to become a free agent during the 2024 offseason. Following the move to place Bartch on the PUP list, the Jaguars have an open roster spot.

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Jaguars reportedly keeping close tabs on Chattanooga OL McClendon Curtis

The Jaguars “routinely sent scouts” to Chattanooga to watch McClendon Curtis.

The Jacksonville Jaguars haven’t shied away from showing interest in Chattanooga offensive lineman McClendon Curtis, according to a report.

According to Justin Melo of The Draft Network, the Jaguars “routinely sent scouts” to Chattanooga to watch Curtis and had an “exceptional” meeting with the offensive lineman at the 2023 Senior Bowl.

Curtis started 38 games for the Mocs and earned FCS All-American honors in 2022. The versatile lineman started 30 games at right guard, seven at left tackle, and one at left guard. The 6’5, 331-pounder likely projects as a guard in the NFL.

ESPN’s Mel Kiper ranks Curtis as the fifth best guard in the draft class and he’s projected to be a mid-round selection.

The Jaguars shored up the interior of their line last offseason by signing Brandon Scherff to a three-year, $49.5 million deal and drafting center Luke Fortner in the third round. Still, the team has some uncertainty at left guard with Ben Bartch and Tyler Shatley at the position. Bartch won a training camp battle for the role, but suffered a season-ending knee injury.

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Trevor Lawrence: Transition to Tyler Shatley will be ‘seamless’

Trevor Lawrence has plenty of confidence in Tyler Shatley.

Trevor Lawrence was sad to see left guard and close friend Ben Bartch go on injured reserve with a season-ending injury, but the Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback isn’t worried about the offense hitting a snag with Tyler Shatley stepping in to the starting lineup.

“I love both those guys,” Lawrence said of Bartch and Shatley. “Those are two of my favorite teammates, honestly. I’m not just saying that because I’m up here. Those really are two of the best guys. Obviously, I hate that for Bartch. I hate it for our team. He was playing great. Made a lot of strides. …I hate that his season got cut short, but I know what Tyler brings to the table, a guy that’s always ready.

“That’s a guy you want on your team, as far as the type of person he is but how he prepares himself. Every week it’s like he’s a starter, whether that’s at center or guard. Any of those three spots in the middle, if something happens, like what happened to Ben, he’s ready to step up, and when he’s in there, it’s really seamless.”

The Jaguars offensive line has done a good job keeping Lawrence upright so far during the 2022 season as he’s been sacked just six times. The Cleveland Browns and Los Angeles Chargers are the only teams that have allowed fewer sacks at five each.

Jacksonville hasn’t done as well at paving the way for running backs James Robinson and Travis Etienne, though. No team has been stuffed on a higher percentage of rushing attempts than the Jaguars.

Shatley, 31, is the longest tenured player on the Jaguars roster, first joining the team as an undrafted free agent following the 2014 NFL Draft. In nine seasons with the team, he’s started 33 games.

Jaguars sign former Bills, Panthers G John Miller

On the same day Ben Bartch landed on IR, the Jaguars added a veteran guard to the active roster.

The Jacksonville Jaguars are signing veteran offensive lineman John Miller to their active roster, his agent Drew Rosenhaus told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Tuesday.

Earlier in the day on Tuesday, the Jaguars placed starting left guard Ben Bartch on the injured reserve after he dislocated his knee in a Week 5 loss to the Houston Texans.

Miller, 29, was the Buffalo Bills’ third-round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft and started 47 games over four seasons with the team. In 2019, he joined the Cincinnati Bengals on a three-year, $16.5 million deal in free agency. He played just one season with the team and was released in the 2020 offseason.

The guard was then scooped up by the Carolina Panthers and spent the last two seasons with the team, starting 24 games. His play in Carolina underwhelmed and he frustrated fans when he told reporters after a game in which the Panthers allowed seven sacks that “sacks happen.”

While Miller is joining the active roster, the team will likely lean on Tyler Shatley to fill the vacancy at guard with Bartch out of action. The team also traded for interior offensive lineman Cole Van Lanen just before the start of the 2022 season.