Jacksonville Jaguars Add Stefen Wisniewski

Dec 28, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Oakland Raiders center Stefen Wisniewski (61) lines up against the Denver Broncos in the first quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport has reported that the team will sign former Raiders center Stefen Wisniewski to a one-year, $2.5 million deal. After finishing his rookie contract in Oakland, the fifth-year center asked for a lot of money to stay. But Raiders G.M. Reggie McKenzie decided if he was going to spend big-time money, he would spend it on a big-time center.

So he went out and signed Rodney Hudson and Wisniewski never got the big-time money he was looking for. But the Jaguars get a solid center to add to an offensive line that gave up 71 sacks in 2014. He’s also a good run-blocker and a fit for zone-blocking as well from his time in college and at times with the Raiders.

Wisniewski with join a Jaguars offensive line that has left tackle Luke Joeckel coming back from a disappointing, injury riddled season. They’ve added right tackle Jermey Parnell, who did well as a spot starter with the Dallas Cowboys last year. Put that together with guards Brandon Linder and Zane Beadles and the Jaguars will get the zone-blocking scheme going in 2015.

So there will be more running lanes for whoever the Jaguars have at the running back position in 2015. But the main focus here is protecting 2014 1st-round quarterback Blake Bortles after allowing him to give up so many sacks this year. There’s no way he makes that jump a quarterback makes from year one to year to if he gets sacked like that in 2015.

Hence, Wisniewski is now a Jaguar.