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NFL training camp: Best battle to watch for each team

By John Buhler

CHARLOTTE, NC - OCTOBER 30: Justin Bethel
CHARLOTTE, NC - OCTOBER 30: Justin Bethel /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 03: Offensive lineman Cam Robinson of Alabama runs a drill during day three of the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 3, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 03: Offensive lineman Cam Robinson of Alabama runs a drill during day three of the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 3, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Jacksonville Jaguars: Branden Albert vs. Cam Robinson

Will this be the year that the Jacksonville Jaguars finally put it all together? Maybe, but probably not. While the Jaguars have made several great moves in recent drafts and NFL free agency, they are still a liability on offense despite potentially elite personnel. Wide receiver Allen Robinson is fantastic and quarterback Blake Bortles showed in 2015 that he can at least make throws to him in garbage time of games. The problem is that the Jaguars’ offensive line isn’t exactly great.

The biggest issue the Jaguars have up front is in who is protecting Bortles’ blind side. Though there are more questions than answers at left tackle for Jacksonville, the Jaguars thankfully moved on from former No. 2 overall pick Luke Joeckel. It’s okay, everybody pretty much whiffed in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft.

That being said, Jacksonville should have an interesting competition at left tackle this fall. It will be between veteran Branden Albert, who may not want to be on the Jaguars, and rookie Cam Robinson, who won the Outland Trophy, but didn’t go in the first round of the NFL Draft. Albert is a proven commodity, having last played for the Miami Dolphins. Even if he’s not motivated, he is at least a solid, stop-gap tackle for Jaguars for a year or so.

As for Robinson, he will have to prove to former offensive line coach turned head coach Doug Marrone that he really loves football. Robinson was a blue-chip prospect coming out of his school. He got by on reputation and name recognition mostly at Alabama. Unfortunately, that will not cut it on the next level. Marrone realizes this, but does Robinson want to put in the work to be great?