Will

Richardson

Richardson started two games last year, both at right guard. He moved to tackle ahead of the 2020 season but was picked apart during his lone start on the left side. Richardson returns as a depth option at multiple positions but doesn’t project to start for the Jags unless players ahead of him go down.

The move cements fourth-round rookie Ben Bartch as the team’s starting right guard alongside Andrew Norwell, Brandon Linder, Jawaan Taylor, and Cam Robinson, with Richardson subbing as the team’s swing tackle. The latter performed poorly across 125 snaps at that position (and another 317 at RG) last year, but his push to an interim role at the very least ensures a promising and youthful starting unit in front of Gardner Minshew this upcoming season. Bartch’s development will be worth monitoring.

With Cam Robinson (knee) doubtful, Richardson will protect the blindside. It’s not much of a downgrade — Richardson was one of the top pass blockers in last year’s draft. The Jaguars haven’t to put on timetable on Robinson’s return, so Richardson may be counted on for more than one game.

Richardson (6’6/306) turned pro as a redshirt junior after making 31 starts at right tackle for the Wolfpack and earning second-team All-ACC in 2017. PFF College credited Richardson with zero sacks allowed on 400 pass-blocking snaps as a senior. Athletic enough with 35th-percentile SPARQ results, Richardson also benefits from lengthy 35 ¼-inch arms. Richardson offers starting-caliber traits for a right tackle or guard, but he carries off-field issues (2017 suspension, 2015 DUI) and wasn’t quite as dominant as he should have been in college.

There was talk Richardson could compete for the right guard job, but he was limited to tackle in the offseason. The Jaguars view Richardson as a potential replacement for Jermey Parnell, who has no guaranteed money beyond this season. Parnell’s injury history gives Richardson a good chance of making rookie-year starts.