Jaguars OL coach works out Jackson Powers-Johnson, Taliese Fuaga

Jacksonville Jaguars offensive line coach Phil Rauscher took a trip to the Pacific Northwest this week to take a closer look at two intriguing 2024 NFL draft prospects.

On Monday, Rauscher was spotted at the Oregon State pro day leading offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga through drills:

#Jaguars OL coach Phil Rauscher and #Jets assistant OL coach Ben Wilkerson also out here running Taliese Fuaga through drills pic.twitter.com/ZGGaCrbelD

— Mike footballiance.com (@DraftMaverick) March 11, 2024

Then on Tuesday, he was in Eugene, Ore. for the Oregon Ducks’ pro day where he worked out center Jackson Powers-Johnson.

Similar to yesterday at Oregon State for Fuaga, #Steelers Pat Meyer, #Jaguars Phil Rauscher, and #Bears Chris Morgan are leading position drills for Jackson Powers-Johnson pic.twitter.com/nI0X20xBv5

— Mike footballiance.com (@DraftMaverick) March 12, 2024

Fuaga is widely expected to be a first-round pick in April and some have suggested he could be the first offensive lineman off the board. While the Jaguars have a bit of a logjam at offensive tackle with Cam Robinson, Walker Little, and Anton Harrison, it’s not hard to make the argument for picking another player at the position.

If the Jaguars parted with Robinson — either by release or trade — they’d get $17,279,412 in salary cap savings. And it’s hard to feel too confident in Little taking over as he’s headed into the final year of his rookie contract and has just 17 career starts, three of which came at left guard.

Jacksonville also addressed its center issues by agreeing to a two-year deal with former Buffalo Bills starter Mitch Morse. But the veteran turns 32 next month and is far from a long-term solution.

Powers-Johnson, winner of the 2023 Rimington Trophy, is believed by most to be the best center in the draft.