The Jaguars parted ways with long-time starting guard Uche Nwaneri on Tuesday morning, leaving a tremendous gap in the middle of the offensive line. But with more than $60 million in cap room available, the team will almost certainly dip their toes into the waters of free agency to fill some of those voids.
#Jaguars right now have no starting C, no starting RG, no starting LG.
— Ryan O'Halloran (@ryanohalloran) March 4, 2014
Cleveland Browns center Alex Mack was circled in pencil as a player that the Jaguars could target early in free agency, but with the transition tag applied on Monday, it will likely be difficult to pry him from Cleveland's grips. After Mack, the center market is thin, which means the Jaguars will have to target guards to fill some of the interior line positions.
At guard there are two players, in particular, that make sense as possible free agent targets for the Jaguars and both were Kansas City Chiefs in 2013:
Geoff Schwartz, 27
A seventh round selection of the Carolina Panthers in the 2008 NFL Draft, Schwartz has steadily improved during his NFL career and played himself into the starting lineup of the Chiefs in 2013. In 498 offensive snaps, Schwartz was one of the top interior offensive lineman graded by Pro Football Focus, racking up a +15.2 grade despite the limited time.
Jon Asamoah, 25
When Schwartz found his way into the starting lineup, it was Asamoah that he sent to the bench, despite the fact that he was playing very well. A third-round selection in the 2010 NFL Draft, Asamoah has plenty of starting experience in his four NFL seasons and finished 2013 with a +6.6 grade from PFF in 682 snaps.
For perspective, Nwaneri led the Jaguars offensive lineman with an -0.3 grade during the 2013 season.
Other free agent options to fill in to the middle of the Jaguars offensive line include: Rodger Saffold of the St. Louis Rams, Evan Dietrich-Smith of the Green Bay Packers and Shelley Smith of the Rams.