Jacksonville Jaguars offensive tackle Walker Little will receive the biggest opportunity of his young career in 2023. Little has bided his time while awaiting a chance to prove he’s a quality starter. He is now entering a make-or-break campaign.

The No. 45 overall selection in the 2021 NFL Draft, Little was Jacksonville’s fourth top-50 selection following Trevor Lawrence, Travis Etienne, and Tyson Campbell. The first three have developed into high-level starters. The next pick was Andre Cisco, who’s a mainstay at safety. The 2021 class officially marked a turning point for the Jaguars franchise, and Little has the potential to turn it into an even more impressive group.

Little has spent the previous two seasons backing up Cam Robinson and Jawaan Taylor. In 2022, Little played 234 offensive snaps, the majority of which came at left tackle after Robinson suffered a season-ending injury. Little was a steady performer, allowing just 1.0 sack and 13 pressures, according to Pro Football Focus. Little helped the Jaguars absorb the blow of Robinson’s absence.

This offseason has welcomed an abundance of change for the Jaguars up front, both anticipated and unforeseen. Taylor signed a lucrative contract with the Kansas City Chiefs in free agency. Little initially appeared primed to replace Taylor at right tackle.

Robinson was then suspended four games for violating the league’s PED policy, throwing Doug Pederson’s plans into a blender. The Jaguars responded by drafting former Oklahoma offensive tackle Anton Harrison with the No. 27 overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft. Harrison primarily played left tackle at Oklahoma, but the Jaguars are planning on playing him at right tackle. This will allow Little to replace Robinson on Lawrence’s blindside. It’s the position Little is most familiar with dating back to his days at Stanford.

How the Jaguars treat Robinson’s return is worth monitoring. Robinson has been a mainstay at left tackle as one of the top-performing players at his position. Once Robinson is eligible to return from suspension, he’s expected to reclaim his starting gig at left tackle with Little kicking out to right tackle, sending Harrison to a swing-tackle role.

Little’s impending stint on the left could be an audition. The Jaguars could save approximately $17.75 million against the 2024 cap by releasing Robinson next offseason, via Spotrac. General manager Trent Baalke will require cap space to sign his ascending talents to extensions. Robinson is a key piece, but Little and Harrison offer low-cost, in-house solutions.

Starting opportunities have been rare for Little, but he’s answered the bell when inserted into the lineup. In a Week 18 start against the Tennessee Titans, Little didn’t allow a single sack or quarterback hit en route to earning a season-best pass-blocking grade of 80.8 from PFF. Little’s near-perfect performance helped his Jaguars claim the AFC South division title.

Little’s moment in Jacksonville has finally arrived, although his long-term position remains to be determined. Little possesses every trait necessary to develop into a high-end starter—he can’t squander this opportunity. It’s now-or-never for Little to solidify himself as an every-year starter.