Tag: Javon Foster

Jaguars rookie projections: OL Javon Foster

Jaguars rookie projections: OL Javon Foster

The Jaguars exited the 2024 NFL draft with nine new contributors, bolstering their roster with potential after signing eight free agents between March and April in their offseason-long effort to reclaim postseason status this year.

How impactful might Jacksonville’s rookie class be as the team chases a playoff spot?

Jaguars Wire is projecting roles and rookie production for each of Jacksonville’s 2024 draft picks, continuing the series by focusing on the Jaguars’ fourth-round, No. 114 overall selection, offensive lineman Javon Foster.

Javon Foster’s projected role with the Jaguars

99.993% of Foster’s 2,939 career offensive snaps with Missouri were logged at offensive tackle, where he made 41 starts over 50 appearances, with 39 at left tackle and two at right tackle.

Barring an event where injuries force the Jaguars to play him elsewhere, Foster will continue to play offensive tackle in Jacksonville.

“We view him as a swing tackle, a guy that can play left and right,” Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke said about Foster in April. “He played primarily on the left side in college obviously but went to the Senior Bowl and proved he could line up on the right side. You start him out in a swing position. That’s for the coaches to settle in on what his role is going to be.

“But really like the size, the length, two-time captain, [a] leader in the SEC, [41]-game starter, a lot of things that played into the pick.” 

The Jaguars have an experienced swing tackle in the fold already in rising fourth-year pro Walker Little, one of Jacksonville’s two second-round draft picks from 2021. Little and starting left tackle Cam Robinson are both entering contract years in 2024.

Foster’s offensive opportunities are likely to be limited during his rookie season as a result, unless an injury sidelines one or more of Robinson, Little and Jaguars’ starting right tackle Anton Harrison, which would bump Foster up the depth chart.

Foster could certainly factor into Jacksonville’s special teams, however, such as the offensive line units on field goal attempts and punts.

But with Robinson and Little’s futures with Jacksonville being uncertain, the Jaguars intend to develop Foster into a starting-caliber offensive lineman behind the scenes with the hope that he’ll be able to contribute significantly in the years to come.

Projected stats for offensive linemen are not available

OT Javon Foster signs rookie deal with Jaguars

OT Javon Foster signs rookie deal with Jaguars

Offensive tackle Javon Foster, Jacksonville’s first fourth-round selection in the 2024 NFL draft, signed his rookie deal with the Jaguars on Monday, the team announced.

Foster is the sixth member of Jacksonville’s 2024 draft class to sign with the club, following third round cornerback Jarrian Jones, fifth-rounders — cornerback Deantre Prince and running back/return specialist Keilan Robinson, sixth-round kicker Cam Little and seventh-round edge rusher Myles Cole.

The Jaguars coveted Foster to become a valuable depth piece on their offensive line, with the ability to play both tackle spots after appearing in 50 games in college.

“We view him as [a] swing tackle, a guy that can play left and right. He played primarily on the left side in college obviously, but went to the Senior Bowl and proved he could line up on the right side,” Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke said about Foster after the draft.

Foster accumulated over 3,000 total snaps over six seasons with Missouri, including 2,939 offensive reps with 41 starts logged, 39 on the left and two on the right.

PFF: Jaguars picked ‘great next man up’ in OL Javon Foster

PFF: Jaguars picked ‘great next man up’ in offensive lineman Javon Foster

Brian Thomas Jr. presents a high-ceiling deep threat for Jacksonville to infuse into passing offense after his breakout 2023 season at LSU; Maason Smith could become a disruptive force on the Jaguars’ defensive line if he returns to pre-injury form from early in his college career.

Most of Jacksonville’s 2024 NFL draft picks by the club meet a similar description: they possess great potential as NFL prospects, even if they weren’t consistently productive in college.

But Pro Football Focus analyst Trevor Sikkema went a different route while determining his favorite selection from Jacksonville’s draft. He moved away from the bountiful upside prospects with eyes on a player who seemingly doesn’t have as much to prove in his transition to the pros.

That player is Jacksonville’s first fourth-round choice, offensive tackle Javon Foster from Missouri.

The Jaguars took fliers on some higher-ceiling athletes with their first three picks of the draft, but their fourth pick might have been my favorite: Javon Foster. Foster isn’t the elite-caliber athlete to garner a top-100 selection, but he started for three years in the SEC and consistently earned grades above 80.0 in all three campaigns. If the Jaguars ever have an injury to one of their starting offensive tackles, he is a great “next man up” to throw into the lineup. That depth is key.

Indeed, offensive line depth was identified as one of Jacksonville’s bigger needs entering the draft. although the team arguably could have benefitted from adding to its interior reserve. Foster profiles primarily as a tackle.

Still, Foster will occupy a crucial role moving forward for the Jaguars as the team’s swing tackle, according to general manager Trent Baalke, offering key depth on both sides of the line. Rising fourth-year lineman Walker Little has fulfilled a similar role over the past three seasons.

“We view him as swing tackle, a guy that can play left and right. He played primarily on the left side in college obviously, but went to the Senior Bowl and proved he could line up on the right side,” Baalke said about Foster on April 27.

“You start him out in a swing position. That’s for the coaches to settle in on what his role is going to be. But really like the size, the length, two-time captain, leader in the SEC, [41]-game starter. A lot of things that played into the pick.”

Foster appeared in 50 games over six seasons with Missouri, all but two offensively, and made 39 starts at left tackle with two at right tackle. He logged 2,939 offensive snaps with the Tigers and allowed eight sacks in his college career, per PFF.

Jacksonville’s starting offensive tackle tandem entering the 2024 season consists of Cam Robinson on the left side and Anton Harrison on the right, entering their eighth and second seasons, respectively.

Robinson has missed 14 games over the last three seasons due to a suspension in 2023 and multiple injuries along the way.

Stats, facts and fit: New Jaguars OT Javon Foster

Jacksonville Jaguars 2024 NFL draft recap

Stats, facts and fit: New Jaguars OT Javon Foster

Stats, facts and fit: New Jaguars OT Javon Foster

In search of offensive line depth, the Jaguars took Missouri offensive tackle Javon Foster with their first of two fourth-round picks on Saturday during the 2024 NFL draft.

Jaguars Wire analyzes Jacksonville’s selection of Foster below, reviewing his background, college stats, NFL combine results, projected fit in Jacksonville’s offense and what he said after being picked.

Javon Foster, OT, Missouri

Feb 3, 2024; Mobile, AL, USA; American offensive lineman Javon Foster of Missouri (75) sets up on the line during the second half of the 2024 Senior Bowl football game at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports

Background

Javon Foster, the son of former NFL defensive lineman Jerome Foster, grew up playing basketball in Detroit, Mich. but moved toward his father’s game during his junior year of high school. He wasn’t highly-coveted as a recruit, accordingly, but secured a scholarship offer from Missouri in the class of 2018, his lone Southeastern Conference opportunity.

Foster made the most of it. He redshirted as a freshman and appeared in two games the following season, but emerged as a reliable depth and rotational piece as a redshirt sophomore in 2020.

It led to his placement on the Tigers’ first-team offensive line in 2021, a spot he wouldn’t relinquish for three years. Foster accrued over 3,000 total snaps in college, significantly aiding his development and ascension toward an NFL draft selection.

College stats and accolades

via Missouri Tigers and Pro Football Focus

  • 50 appearances
  • 41 starts (39 at left tackle, two at right tackle)
  • 2,939 offensive snaps logged
  • 2023 Third-Team All-America (Associated Press)
  • 2023 First-Team All-SEC (AP and Coaches)
  • 2024 Senior Bowl invitation
  • Eight career sacks allowed
  • 85.8 out of 100 peak single-season run blocking grade (2023)

NFL combine results

via MockDraftable

  • 6-foot-5 and 1/2 inch (46th percentile among offensive tackles at the NFL combine since 1999)
  • 313 pounds (49th percentile)
  • 34 and 5/8-inch arm length (71st percentile)
  • 83 and 3/8 inch wingspan (76th percentile)
  • 5.3-second 40-yard dash (42nd percentile)
  • 32 and 1/2-inch vertical jump (90th percentile)
  • 106-inch broad jump (65th percentile)

Projected fit

Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke said Foster would begin in a swing tackle role with the Jaguars, and that Jacksonville’s coaching staff would determine his best long-term positional fit.

“We view him as [a] swing tackle, a guy that can play left and right. He played primarily on the left side in college obviously, but went to the Senior Bowl and proved he could line up on the right side,” Baalke said on Saturday.

“Really like the size, the length, two-time captain, leader in the SEC, 31-game starter, a lot of things that played into the pick.”

Should Foster progress nicely, he’ll be a candidate to step into the lineup in the event of an injury to starting tackles, Cam Robinson and Anton Harrison. Walker Little, Jacksonville’s 2021 second-round pick and a hybrid tackle/guard, is also experienced in the role.

Robinson and Little are scheduled to become free agents next offseason.

Quotable

“I started off my whole career just playing left tackle. I felt a little bit more comfortable there. I have been training for both tackles, so I feel like I’m getting a lot more comfortable at my right stance and it just really helps me out a lot, being versatile and just able to help the organization however I can.” — offensive tackle Javon Foster on his experience playing left and right tackle in college

2024 NFL draft: OT Javon Foster to Jaguars in fourth round

2024 NFL draft: OT Javon Foster to Jaguars in fourth round

Jacksonville selected Missouri offensive tackle Javon Foster with the No. 114 overall pick in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL draft on Saturday, the Jaguars’ first of six picks on day three.

Foster, 6-foot-5 and 1/2, 313 pounds, was a three-year starting tackle for the Tigers with 39 starts on the left side and two on the right. He logged 2,939 offensive snaps in college, allowing eight sacks in his career and peaking with an 85.5 (out of 100) run-blocking grade in 2023, per Pro Football Focus.

Following a career-best 2023 campaign, in which he allowed one sack, Foster received First-Team All-SEC and Third-Team All-America honors, entered the 2024 NFL draft and was invited to the Reese’s Senior Bowl.

Jacksonville previously chose LSU wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. at No. 23 in the first round, LSU defensive tackle Maason Smith at No. 48 in the second round, and Florida State cornerback Jarrian Jones at No. 96 in the third round of the 2024 NFL draft.

Jaguars’ remaining 2024 NFL draft picks

  • Round 4, Pick 116 (via New Orleans)
  • Round 5, Pick 153
  • Round 5, Pick 167 (via Minnesota)
  • Round 6, Pick 212
  • Round 7, Pick 236

This is a breaking news story that will be updated. 

Browns Podcast: Offensive tackle should be a must for Cleveland in this year’s draft

This year is the year to draft an offensive tackle

This year’s crop of offensive tackles in the draft is one of the best and deepest we have seen in a while. Personally, I have eight who have earned first-round grades, with a couple more who were borderline first-rounders. General manager Andrew Berry has shown the team is interested in this crop, with multiple tackles being brought in for Top 30 visits so far.

Will offensive tackle be the position that the Browns target with their first pick in the second round, No. 54 overall? Depending on how the board falls for Cleveland, tackle likely could be the position they go for.

Kingsley Suamataia from BYU and Kiran Amegadjie from Yale should be at the top of their board. Both guys are great athletes at the position, with long arms and all the physical tools you want in a left tackle. The advantage of Amegadjie is starting experience at left tackle and left guard.

You can watch us talk about these prospects and several more by clicking here. If you want to listen to the audio-only version of this podcast, you can do so by clicking here.

Unpacking Future Packers: No. 52, Missouri OT Javon Foster

Up next in the Unpacking Future Packers draft preview series is Missouri offensive tackle Javon Foster.

The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects that could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2024 NFL draft.

Death, taxes, and the Green Bay Packers drafting offensive linemen on Day 3 and developing them into studs. Those are the three constants in life. 

With the Packers needing to bolster the depth across the offensive line it’s a safe bet that Brian Gutekunst uses one or two picks on Day 3 of the 2024 NFL Draft on an offensive lineman. 

A potential Day 3 target as the Packers look for tackle depth is Javon Foster. The Missouri offensive tackle checks in at No. 52 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.

Foster, a three-star recruit out of Michigan started 41 games at Missouri, with 39 of those starts coming at left tackle and the other two coming at right tackle.  

“Consistency is what I think of when looking at Foster,” Parker Gillam, the Missouri beat writer for RockMNation.com, said. “He’s been a mainstay in the starting rotation and has always been a player that Drinkwitz and Co. can trust to both run behind and protect the quarterback. His 6-foot-5, 319 lb. frame is ideal for an NFL tackle, but his large wingspan is perhaps his most notable physical attribute.”

At 6-5 with long arms, Foster has an ideal frame and looks every bit of the part of an NFL offensive tackle. He pesters edge rushers with his length. He has powerful, active hands to thwart edge rushers. This past season, Foster gave up just one sack and 13 pressures. 

“Reliable is a term thrown around loosely, but it fits Foster perfectly,” Gillam said. “Brady Cook really didn’t fear his blind side during the 2023 season because he knew Foster wasn’t letting anybody by without a fight. He generally took on the opponent’s top pass-rusher and held his own, and I’ll again point at his reach and athleticism as major reasons why. On top of that, after so many years within the program, Foster’s technique is really strong.”

Foster shows good mobility as a run blocker and is comfortable on his feet. He latches onto a defender and can drive them downfield. Foster dominates at the point of contact and overwhelms defenders with his strength. 

“Foster has worked within a running scheme that requires him to display great quickness in pulling or getting to the edge, as the stretch zone system that the Tiger offense has employed for years forces its linemen to be athletes,” Gillam said. “Foster has done well to adapt and become a guy that defenders fear when they see him coming down the tracks. It was a group effort for sure, but Cody Schrader’s phenomenal 2023 campaign can be attributed to the consistency, athleticism and mastery of the system that Foster displayed.”

Fit with the Packers

As it stands right now, Rasheed Walker is the starting left tackle and Zach Tom is the starting right tackle for the Packers. Barring an injury, those two former Day 3 draft picks figure to be the week-one starting tackles for the Packers. The depth behind those two doesn’t inspire a ton of confidence.

With his experience starting at left and right tackle, Foster could be the ideal swing tackle for the Packers, with the potential to challenge Walker for snaps at left tackle. 

“Foster is a proven, reliable presence on the edge,” Gillam said. “He’s worth taking a mid-round pick given his experience in playing within a high-caliber league, physical tools and solid film. Foster may not step in and be a day-one starter for an NFL team, but with how he’s progressed over his time as a Tiger, it’s safe to assume that he should develop well given the appropriate coaching at the next level.”

Foster improved each season during his time at Missouri. He checks the boxes with his frame, experience, and athleticism. Given Green Bay’s track record of developing Day 3 offensive linemen, it would be a safe bet that Foster’s improvement would continue at 1265 Lombardi Avenue. 

Vikings 2024 7 round mock draft 7.0: Drafting to bolster the offense

What if the Minnesota Vikings used the NFL Draft to bolster the offense? Tyler Forness explores that exact, yet unlikely, strategy

The Minnesota Vikings have a lot of different ways they can go in the NFL draft. There will be some discussion on what needs are most important but the Vikings can address most of them through both free agency and the NFL draft.

Each week throughout the leadup to the NFL draft, I will be doing different seven-round mock drafts for the Vikings as a way to explore different scenarios. You never know who might fall to you and how that could cause a ripple effect and being ready for those situations is paramount come draft weekend.

In the second rendition of our seven-round mock draft series, what could a draft look like that has the Vikings focusing solely on the offensive side of the ball after using free agency to fix the defense?

Mock Draft 1.0
Mock Draft 2.0
Mock Draft 3.0
Mock Draft 4.0
Mock Draft 5.0
Mock Draft 6.0

Vikings 2024 7 round mock draft 6.0: Trading Justin Jefferson for QB of the future

What would a Minnesota Vikings 7 round mock draft if they traded Justin Jefferson to the New England Patriots to get third overall? Tyler Forness explores the wild possibility.

The Minnesota Vikings have a lot of different ways they can go in the NFL draft. There will be some discussion on what needs are most important but the Vikings can address most of them through both free agency and the NFL draft.

Each week throughout the leadup to the NFL draft, I will be doing different seven-round mock drafts for the Vikings as a way to explore different scenarios. You never know who might fall to you and how that could cause a ripple effect and being ready for those situations is paramount come draft weekend.

In the second rendition of our seven-round mock draft series, what could a draft look like that has the Vikings trading Justin Jefferson to get the quarterback of the future at third overall?

Mock Draft 1.0
Mock Draft 2.0
Mock Draft 3.0
Mock Draft 4.0
Mock Draft 5.0

Full 7-round 2024 NFL mock draft: Patriots land Senior Bowl standout QB to pair with elite weapon

The Patriots get arguably the best player on the board at No. 3 in this full seven-round 2024 NFL mock draft

The New England Patriots are less than three months away from one of the most important decisions in the past 30 years.

A brand new head coach is in the building in Jerod Mayo, and Eliot Wolf is working through the personnel decisions. This is an opportunity for both men to stamp their names on the Patriots.

For better or worse, the team will have a different philosophy heading into the offseason. It’s a breath of fresh air for Patriots fans who grew impatient with the lack of offensive success since Tom Brady’s departure in 2020.

In this mock draft, we’re taking a look at one scenario that could shake up on draft night, netting the Patriots a generational cornerstone receiver and some developmental tackles.