Brad

Meester

Meester’s contract is up after the year, and he turns 36 in March. “I feel as good as I have in quite a while,” he insisted. “I would love to be back.” Meester has spent his entire career with the Jaguars, playing mostly center and some guard. Unfortunately, his on-field play suggests he has little left.

Meester is on the record as hoping to return for a 14th NFL season, but it’s unclear if he’d consider playing anywhere other than Jacksonville. One of the best players in Jaguars history, Meester is still durable, but his play has slipped considerably. It’s not a guarantee he’ll be back.

Meester has been the Jaguars’ center since 2000, missing just 15 games in 13 years, and none since 2008. His play has slipped considerably in recent seasons, however. The Jags could be on the lookout for his heir apparent in the middle rounds of the draft.

Meester will turn 36 in March and is trying to leverage his way into a final payday on a one-year deal. The coaching staff reportedly wants him back “from a stability and leadership standpoint.” Meester has started 193 games for the Jags over his 13 NFL seasons.

A career guard, Nwaneri is working to get more comfortable at the center spot. The Jaguars will give him every chance to beat out veteran incumbent Brad Meester, while moving Vince Manuwai to right guard and Kynan Forney to left guard. The shuffle is an effort to improve the Jags’ run-blocking.

Jacksonville’s front five at post-draft minicamp looked like this: LG Kynan Forney, C Uche Nwaneri, RG Vince Manuwai, with Eugene Monroe and Eben Britton at the tackles. The longest tenured Jaguar, Meester turned 33 this offseason and was among the NFL’s poorest run-blocking centers in 2009.

A second-round pick of the Jags way back in 2000, Meester has only known one franchise in his 14-year career. He started all 207 games he appeared in, never making a Pro Bowl or All-Pro team. Meester really hit the wall this season as he’s graded out 30th among 36 qualifying centers in Pro Football Focus’ grades. He goes down as the franchise leader in seasons played and starts.