Evaluation process begins for O-Line

JACKSONVILLE – The Jaguars did some hitting Sunday.

They talked about hitting, too, with a major focus of Jaguars 2022 Training Camp Day 6 a revamped, evolving offensive line that currently features significant competition.

With the Jaguars in full pads on Sunday for the first time in ’22 camp, the day marked the beginning of a critical time for what many view as perhaps the team’s top training-camp storyline.

“It comes down to these days right here,” Jaguars Head Coach Doug Pederson said Sunday before Day 6 practice at Episcopal School of Jacksonville Knight Sports Campus.

“You put the pads on, this is where really the evaluation process comes in. Playing against good competition, starters playing against starters, you can make a better determination with some of these battles.”

The Jaguars’ offensive line breaks down as follows entering padded days:

• Left tackle: Cam Robinson, the starter at left tackle since 2017.
• Left guard: Tyler Shatley, a veteran swing interior lineman who started extensively at center in recent seasons, and Ben Bartch – a third-year veteran and an 11-game starter at right guard in 2021.
• Center: Rookie Luke Fortner, a third-round selection from Kentucky in the 2022 NFL Draft. Fortner has worked with the first team throughout ’22 camp.
• Right guard: Brandon Scherff, a five-time Pro Bowl selection who signed as an unrestricted free agent from Washington in March.
• Right tackle: Jawaan Taylor, a three-year starter at right tackle, and Walker Little – a second-round selection in the 2021 NFL Draft who started three games at left tackle in 2021.

“I think we have a pretty good group and I think we’re excited to keep stacking them one day at a time,” Scherff said, adding that pads matter very much for an offensive lineman:

“With shells, you’re going full speed but you still have to take care of each other. With pads, you can get those real fits. It’s nice to get the real handles on shoulder pads. It’s nice to put shoulder pads on and make it feel like…