A.J.

Cann

Cann’s release comes the same day the Texans acquired Shaq Mason, who will presumably slide in as Cann’s replacement at right guard. The move creates $4.22 million in cap space, not that the Texans need it. 31-year-old Cann wasn’t an asset in either the passing or running game last season, but he wasn’t exactly a liability, either. The former longtime Jaguar will likely resurface for someone’s camp competition this summer.

Cann, 30, spent the first seven seasons of his career in Jacksonville but is now heading to the division-rival Texans. He’s primarily played right guard in his seven years in the league and will likely slot in for a starting job on an undermanned Houston offensive line.

The deal is worth over $15 million, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The former third-round pick started 15 games at right guard last season and received horrendous marks from Pro Football Focus, grading out as their No. 70 guard out of 81 qualifiers. He was as bad of a pass blocker as he was in the run game. Cann allowed 28 quarterback hurries, eighth-most among those 81 guards.

Cann played 1,113 snaps last season, grading out as PFF’s No. 57 guard out of 77 qualifiers. He was below average as both a run and pass blocker. Cann played left guard in college and could be flipped back to that side, leaving Patrick Omameh and Earl Watford to compete for the other guard job.

Cann is expected to push LG Zane Beadles for the starting job, but will most likely slide in as Jacksonville’s top reserve on the interior. Cann could be in position to start in 2016 when there’s no more guaranteed money left on Beadles’ deal.

There’s been speculation Beadles could be available after Jacksonville drafted OG A.J. Cann in the third round. Beadles was a run-blocking liability in 2014, but has drawn praise for his improved footwork. Jaguars.com’s John Oehser doesn’t get the sense Jacksonville is counting on Cann to start over Beadles.

With promising second-year G Brandon Linder at right guard and the newly-signed Stefen Wisniewski expected to man center, Beadles looks like the weakest link in a suddenly solid interior line. A pro-ready prospect, Cann should push Beadles hard and has a shot to start. Beadles signed a five-year, $30 million deal last spring, but he has no guaranteed money left after this season.

One round after selecting RB T.J. Yeldon, the Jaguars add to their offensive line. Cann (6'3/313) was a bully in the trenches for the Gamecocks, racking up 51 starts -- all at left guard -- and earning second-team All-American honors as a senior. He allowed two sacks in 2014, but was not whistled for a single penalty. Cann has big hands (10 1/4") and adequate arm length (32 5/8") for a guard, and is a plus athlete on tape considering his size. Although Cann needs technical work in pass protection, his true calling card is powerful drive-blocking ability. He projects as a potential day-one NFL starter. It is difficult to say where Cann fits along the line in the near future. He was evaluated at both guard and center, but the Jaguars don’t have an obvious hole at either.

A four-year starter at South Carolina, Cann is a pro-ready run blocker who should push Beadles in training camp. Stefen Wisniewski is expected to start at center, with Brandon Linder remaining at right guard. Signed to a five-year deal last offseason, Beadles has no guaranteed money beyond 2015.

With Brandon Linder likely to make the switch to center, Cann will be asked to hold down a starting spot at guard. A third-round pick last year, Cann was inconsistent in 13 starts at right guard as a rookie. The Jags should still be looking for help on the interior of their line.