Cole

Van Lanen

Van Lanen, a fifth-year NFL veteran, is having a career year in his fourth season with the Jaguars. The versatile blocker has played all over the offensive line this season, taking snaps at left tackle (300), left guard (72), right guard (46) and right tackle (133). His 75.9 PFF pass-blocking grade and 78.9 PFF run-blocking grade both lead the team. The deal includes $32.5 million in guarantees and keeps Van Lanen in Jacksonville through his age-30 season.

Little remains sidelined for the Jaguars’ second practice, putting Week 14 availability even more in doubt than it was yesterday. He is backed up by versatile OG Cole Van Lanen. The Jaguars face a Colts defender missing DT DeForest Buckner (neck) this week.

Van Lanen is a restricted free agent and got an original round tender from the Jaguars for $3.26 million. Restricted free agents can negotiate with teams until April 21, and the Seahawks are a team in need of offensive line help. Van Lanen appeared in nine games for the Jaguars last season, starting three. He primarily plays tackle but has taken snaps at guard as well. The Seahawks are gauging offensive line options late in free agency and exploring signing Van Lanen, though he is tied to the Jaguars through restricted free agency.

The Jaguars’ secondary took two notable hits this week, with Savage suffering a quad injury in practice and CB Tyson Campbell landing on injured reserve. The developments give the Browns’ flailing passing game a chance to keep pace, though little is guaranteed in that regard.

Jacksonville released veteran G Wes Martin in a corresponding move. Van Lanen, a Green Bay native, will head to Jacksonville after playing one year with the Packers. He was a sixth-round pick who appeared in one game during the 2021 regular season..

The Packers took a flyer on Van Lanen in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein described him as having a “debilitating length and a lack of athleticism in pass protection.” He could be stashed on the Packers’ practice squad as a developmental player. The Packers also waived/released QB Kurt Benkert, RB Dexter Williams, RB Patrick Taylor, WR Equanimeous St. Brown, WR Juwann Winfree, WR Reggie Begelton, WR Damon Hazelton, TE Bronson Kaufusi, OG Ben Braden, OG Jacob Capra, OG Coy Cronk, DL Carlo Kemp, DL Willington Previlon, DL Abdullah Anderson, LB Ray Wilborn, LB Tipa Galeai, LB De’Jon Harris, LB Delontae Scott, CB Stephen Denmark, CB Kabion Ento, CB Rojesterman Farris, S Innis Gaines, S Christian Uphoff, P JK Scott, and K JJ Molson.

The deal includes a $153,688 signing bonus. The Badgers’ left tackle in 2019, Van Lanen (6'4/305) earned honorable mention all-conference honors and followed that up first-team honors in his conference as a senior. Despite those accolades, NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein sees a player with “debilitating length and a lack of athleticism in pass protection that will force a move to guard.” On the plus side, Zierlein does laud Van Lanen’s “mass” and intangibles. Even if guard is Van Lanen’s future home, his extensive tackle experience will give him five-position versatility up front, enhancing his odds of sticking on the Packers’ 53-man roster.

A 2016 redshirt, Van Lanen (6'4/305) spent five years in Madison, making just one start across the first three. The Badgers’ left tackle in 2019, he earned honorable mention all-conference honors. He made the first-team as a senior. Despite those accolades, NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein sees a player with “debilitating length and a lack of athleticism in pass protection that will force a move to guard.” On the plus side, Zierlein does laud Van Lanen’s “mass” and intangibles. Even if guard is Van Lanen’s future home, his extensive tackle experience will give him five-position versatility up front, enhancing his odds of sticking on the Packers’ 53-man roster.

As Treash mentions early, Van Lanen was “phenomenal” in his redshirt sophomore season; posting a grade from Pro Football Focus of 90.8 PFF while ranking at the top of the pass and run blocking grades for that year. As he also notes, the 6-foot-5, 312-pound lineman was not nearly as good in 2018 with a grade of 72.4. Still, because of his production in 2018, it’s easy to understand why Van Lanen makes this list, and if he’s a semblance of the player he was as a redshirt sophomore, he’s going to be one of the best tackles in the game.

Van Lanen (6'5/312) is among the best tackles in college football, so losing him for any amount of time is a tough blow. Thankfully, if any team can replace an OL in a pinch, it’s the Badgers. Furthermore, Wisconsin face a weak Purdue team on Saturday and Van Lanen’s absence shouldn’t be the deciding factor in that game. Hopefully Van Lanen can make a return after this week.