Daniel Faalele trade won't fix Jaguars issues, one Hall of Famer says

The Jacksonville Jaguarstraded for Daniel Faalele because they need help on the offensive line. There's one Hall of Famer who's questioning just how much help he can bring.

The Jags brought in Faalele to shore up a line that's been dealing with a slew of injuries. Starting guard Patrick Mekari underwent a back procedure, while right tackle Cole Van Lanen is on the physically unable to perform list. Walker Little, Chuma Edoga and more have also missed time throughout training camp.

So it makes sense for general manager James Gladstone to bring in more help, and Faalele certainly has experience. The IMG Academy product from Melbourne, Australia, served as a backup tackle during his first two seasons after being taken in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens. But he started every game at right guard over the past two years. John Harbaugh had brought him to New York when he became the coach there this offseason. His size — 6-foot-8, 380 pounds — also makes him an intriguing prospect.

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But Faalele has been criticized for poor play in Baltimore, most notably by Shannon Sharpe, the former tight end who was part of the Ravens' first Super Bowl team in 2000. He had some choice words on his Nightcap live stream Aug. 15 with Chad "Ochocinco" Johnson and former NBA player Joe Johnson, referring to him as "Fish Filet."

"You shouldn't be that big and that sorry," Sharpe said, saying he was headed toward being an equipment manager. "Lamar (Jackson) might have said, 'Look here, if y'all get rid of him, I'll let y'all keep $10 million.'"

This wasn't the first time Sharpe has lambasted Faalele. In December, after the Ravens lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sharpe said Faalele "can't block the sun out of his eyes, let alone a defensive lineman or an extra blitz coming."

Jackson was sacked twice in that game and went 19 of 35 for a touchdown and an interception, while Pro Football Focus graded Faalele at 54.3. Just three weeks prior earlier at Cleveland, when Jackson threw two picks and was sacked five times, earning the guard a 46.8 grade. In Week 5 against Houston, Faalele got a season-low 42.2 grade after Cooper Rush, starting in place of an injured Jackson, threw three INTs but was sacked only once.

His overall grade of 56.7 was 55th out of 81 guards in 2025. He allowed 30 QB pressures, tied for 16th most in the league at his position, and his four sacks allowed tied for eighth most. Still, his overall rating was higher than that of Mekari, who was given a 52.2 grade by PFF last season.

Faalele did not have a good game in his lone appearance with the Giants. In 13 snaps, he received a 40.2 grade by PFF, including a whopping 0.0 pass blocking grade on seven recorded dropbacks.

Faalele signed a one-year free agent contract with the Giants worth $1.4 million. The Jaguars assume responsibility for that deal, which counts just over $1 million against the salary cap.

In all likelihood, Faalele serves as a stopgap and backup in Jacksonville until the starters are healthy. The Jags could do worse under those circumstances than a five-year veteran who has started the past two years straight, though counting on him to protect Trevor Lawrence for an extended stretch might not pan out.

All times Eastern.

• Saturday, Aug. 15: Jacksonville 24, New Orleans 20
• Friday, Aug. 21: vs. Carolina | 7:30 p.m. | WJAX (CBS Channel 47) | Fubo (free trial)
• Friday, Aug. 28: vs. Tampa Bay | 7:30 p.m. | WFOX (Fox Channel 30)

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Daniel Faalele trade won't fix Jaguars issues, one Hall of Famer says