The Jacksonville Jaguars selected Appalachian State offensive lineman Cooper Hodges in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL draft with the No. 226 overall selection.
Hodges, who was listed at 6’4, 305 pounds, was a four-time All-Sun Belt selection and earned Third Team All-American honors from Pro Football Focus in 2022. While he played right tackle for the Mountaineers, the Jaguars announced Hodges as a guard when he was picked.
The No. 226 overall pick used to select Hodges was acquired by the Jaguars in August 2022 with a trade that sent receiver Laviska Shenault to the Carolina Panthers.
Last offseason, the Jaguars signed Brandon Scherff to be the team’s right tackle. The left guard spot was decided in a training camp battle between veteran Tyler Shatley and 2020 fourth-rounder Ben Bartch. While the latter won the role, he suffered a season-ending injury and Shatley took over in the starting lineup.
There’s little depth at guard behind Shatley and Bartch, and Hodges will battle Cole Van Lanen and Blake Hance for a spot on the roster.
