Potential Free Agent Profile: Alex Mack

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A quick glance at a potential free agent who could greatly help the Jags in 2016

By Jordan de Lugo

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There is one potential target at center that Jaguars fans have been clamoring for since he signed an offer sheet with the team just two years ago. Unfortunately for the Jaguars and their fans, the signing of Alex Mack was blocked by the Browns, as they matched the Jaguars’ offer sheet. The center from Cleveland is likely set to become a free agent, assuming he opts out of the last year of his contract with the Browns. The chances of him opting out seem high, as he has repeatedly stated that winning is important to him and, as you all know, Cleveland is a dumpster fire right now. 
Mack is coming off of his third Pro Bowl selection and would be a huge upgrade for the Jaguars at center. He is 30 years old and is a player that can help the Jaguars win right now. If he does hit the open market, Mack will likely command a hefty contract, one that the Jaguars should be willing to ink. 

​According to Pro Football Focus, Mack graded out as only slightly above average in 2015 finishing as the 13th highest rated center. What is encouraging about his grades are that they improved greatly towards the end of the season, as he returned to form from his broken leg in 2014. He was in a tough spot this year — playing on such a dysfunctional team can negatively impact even the best of players.

Some may argue that the Jaguars should stay away from the 30 year old veteran as his Pro Football Focus grades for 2015 were only slightly higher than current Jaguars center Stefen Wisniewski and he was dubbed by PFF as one of the five players who should not have made the Pro Bowl. I disagree for two reasons:  the first being that Mack is a more well rounded center than Wisniewski — Mack has shown the ability to excel in run and pass blocking, and is much more physically dominant, standing at 6’4’’ and weighing in at 311 pounds — he is the type of physical presence the Jaguars lack at center right now; the second reason that I would disagree with naysayers is that in 2015 he was coming off of a severely broken leg and It took him a while to return to form, but by the end of the season he was looking like his old self again. 

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With a healthy Alex Mack playing alongside the emerging A.J. Cann and the already proven Brandon Linder, the Jaguars could have one of the best interior offensive lines in football, which would greatly help the run game, and in turn reduce the hits on Blake Bortles in 2016.
Mack should be a top priority for the Jaguars this offseason, as the offensive line allowed Bortles to be sacked 51 times — more than any other quarterback in 2015 — and the team struggled mightily in the run game averaging only 92 yards a game on the ground. 
Plus, who doesn't love a good nickname? Bring the Mack Attack to Duval!