Taken in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars, Will Richardson has the potential to be a Pro Bowler at the next level.
The Jacksonville Jaguars selection of defensive tackle Taven Bryan was a surprise to many in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft. While the pick makes sense with the contracts they have up front, many mock drafts had the Jaguars bolstering their offensive line or going after a pass catcher for Blake Bortles.
The Jags waited until Day 3 and Round 4 of the draft before selecting an offensive lineman with the No. 129 overall pick in former NC State Wolfpack offensive tackle Will Richardson. Based on the Pro Football Focus graphic below, executive vice president of football operations Tom Coughlin and general manager Dave Caldwell got a steal.
The Jaguars add some help on the offensive line with NC State's Will Richardson pic.twitter.com/p0d7Rvb54o
— PFF (@PFF) April 28, 2018
Richardson, a three-year starter for the Wolfpack also didn’t allow a single sack in 2017.
At 6-6 and 306 pounds, Richardson will look to be the Jaguars right tackle of the future once Jermey Parnell departs. The Jaguars selection of Richardson, coupled with last years second round pick Cam Robinson, will give the team their two bookend tackles of the future.
Though he’s never played guard, Richardson could compete with A.J. Cann for the right guard spot this season.
At 6’6 304 Lbs, Jaguars new Tackle Will Richardson seems to excel in holding his block once he engages. Played a lot of RT at NC State. pic.twitter.com/vxJw5zafhJ
— Jaguars United (@Jaguars_United) May 2, 2018
Richardson, by many, was considered a Day 2 player, but off the field concerns and a troubled past caused him to slip into the fourth round. Dave Caldwell has never shied away from players with a checkered past, according to Phillip Heilman of Jacksonville.com:
"The Jaguars took linebacker Telvin Smith in the fifth round in 2014 despite a failed drug test at the Scouting Combine. Last season, Smith led the Jaguars with 102 total tackles and was given a four-year, $44 million extension in October.Likewise, the Jaguars drafted receiver Dede Westbrook in the fourth round last year despite domestic violence issues in his past. Westbrook caught 27 passes for 339 yards and a touchdown in seven games as a rookie and seems to have a nice future ahead of him."
The Jaguars believe these concerns are behind him. Richardson’s coach at NC State, Dwayne Ledford had high praises for his former playing saying (via John Oesher of Jaguars.com):
"He’s impressive with how well he can move his feet,” Ledford said, adding that Richardson is extremely flexible and really thick.He can anchor down on people,” Ledford said. He has a lot of strength."
Richardson won’t back away from some of the top defensive lineman and edge rushers in the NFL as a rookie. After all, he had to face fifth-overall pick Bradley Chubb everyday in practice at NC State.
I believe Richardson challenges Cann for that right guard spot this season and wins the battle in training camp. If that doesn’t happen, his versatility could see him at right guard or right tackle this season.
Next: NFL 2018: Best uniform for all 32 teams
The Jaguars were one of two teams to look hard at Will Richardson this offseason. Who is the other team? No other than the New England Patriots. We will see these two teams play in Jacksonville in Week 2. Could we see this matchup again in January?