Patrick Mekari Secures Starting Guard Spot for Jacksonville Jaguars

As the Jacksonville Jaguars wrap up their 2025 training camp, one of the most pleasant surprises has been the emergence of Patrick Mekari, who has officially secured the starting right guard spot after a fiercely competitive preseason. Mekari, a six-year NFL veteran who joined the Jaguars as a free agent in March, arrived with a reputation as a reliable utility lineman—having started games at tackle, guard, and center for the Baltimore Ravens—but he’d never held a full-time starting guard role. Over six weeks of camp and three preseason games, however, he outperformed a crowded field of competitors, including incumbent guard Ben Bartch and rookie draft pick Cooper Beebe, to earn the trust of head coach Doug Pederson and offensive line coach Phil Rauscher. Patrick Mekari Secures Starting Guard Spot for Jacksonville Jaguars isn’t just a roster decision; it’s a validation of Mekari’s versatility, work ethic, and ability to adapt to a new system—a boost for an offensive line that aims to protect quarterback Trevor Lawrence and pave the way for running back Travis Etienne Jr. in 2025.

Patrick Mekari Secures Starting Guard Spot for Jacksonville Jaguars first became apparent during the Jaguars’ second preseason game against the Miami Dolphins, where Mekari turned in a dominant performance that left little doubt about his readiness. Starting at right guard for the entire first half, he allowed zero pressures on Lawrence, executed all 18 of his blocking assignments flawlessly, and played a key role in opening a 10-yard rushing lane for Etienne on the Jaguars’ first touchdown drive. What stood out most was his consistency in both pass protection and run blocking: against Dolphins defensive tackle Christian Wilkins—a Pro Bowl-caliber player—Mekari used his 6’4”, 315-pound frame to anchor against Wilkins’ bull rush, then quickly adjusted to pick up a blitzing linebacker on the next play. After the game, Pederson singled out Mekari for praise: “Patrick has been steady all camp, but tonight he took it to another level. He’s smart, he’s physical, and he’s exactly what we need in that starting spot.” The performance solidified Mekari’s lead in the competition, and he continued to impress in the final preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, allowing just one pressure in 40 snaps.

A key factor behind Patrick Mekari Secures Starting Guard Spot for Jacksonville Jaguars is Mekari’s unique combination of football IQ and positional versatility—traits that have made him a valuable asset in the Jaguars’ offensive system. Unlike many guards who specialize in either run blocking or pass protection, Mekari excels at both, thanks to his experience playing multiple positions along the offensive line. During his time with the Ravens, he filled in at left tackle for an injured Ronnie Stanley in 2022, allowing just 2 sacks in 10 starts, and later shifted to center when the team faced injuries there in 2023. This versatility has helped him quickly adapt to the Jaguars’ scheme, which requires linemen to pull, trap, and adjust to complex defensive fronts. Mekari has also stood out in film study sessions, often anticipating defensive adjustments before they happen and communicating with center Luke Fortner to make pre-snap calls. Rauscher, the offensive line coach, noted that Mekari’s football IQ has been a “game-changer” for the unit: “He doesn’t just follow the playbook—he understands why we’re calling certain plays, and that helps the entire line play faster. That’s a rare skill for a guard.”

Patrick Mekari Secures Starting Guard Spot for Jacksonville Jaguars also highlights the Jacksonville Jaguars’ focus on building depth and competition along the offensive line—a strategy that has paid off with Mekari’s emergence. The Jaguars entered camp with five players vying for the two starting guard spots, including Bartch (a 2021 fourth-round pick who started 14 games in 2024) and Beebe (a third-round pick in 2025 with elite athleticism). This competition pushed every player to improve, but Mekari separated himself by consistently performing under pressure. For the Jacksonville Jaguars, the ability to find a reliable starting guard from outside the organization is a win for their front office, which has prioritized offensive line depth in recent offseasons. General manager Trent Baalke explained the philosophy last offseason: “You can never have enough good linemen. Competition brings out the best in everyone, and when you have a player like Patrick step up, it makes the entire unit stronger.” The Jaguars now have a starting offensive line that includes Pro Bowl left tackle Cam Robinson, left guard Andrew Norwell, Fortner at center, Mekari at right guard, and Jawaan Taylor at right tackle—a group that has the potential to be one of the top units in the AFC.

Patrick Mekari Secures Starting Guard Spot for Jacksonville Jaguars further underscores the Jacksonville Jaguars’ commitment to protecting Lawrence, whose health and success are central to the team’s championship aspirations. In 2024, the Jaguars allowed 32 sacks on Lawrence—tied for 18th in the NFL—and the offensive line’s inconsistency was a major factor in the team’s early playoff exit. With Mekari in the starting lineup, the Jaguars hope to reduce that number significantly, as Mekari’s pass protection skills have been proven at the NFL level. Lawrence, who has developed a quick rapport with Mekari, has praised his new lineman’s ability to keep him upright: “Patrick has a way of making complicated blocks look easy. When he’s in there, I don’t have to worry about pressure from the right side, which lets me focus on reading the defense and making plays.” For the Jacksonville Jaguars, a stronger offensive line isn’t just about protecting Lawrence—it’s also about opening up the running game for Etienne, who rushed for 1,124 yards in 2024 but often faced stacked boxes due to inconsistent blocking. Mekari’s run-blocking ability, particularly his skill at pulling and leading on zone runs, should create more opportunities for Etienne to break long gains.

The final takeaway from Patrick Mekari Secures Starting Guard Spot for Jacksonville Jaguars is that Mekari’s journey to the starting lineup is a testament to perseverance and adaptability—traits that align with the Jaguars’ team culture. After spending five seasons as a backup and utility lineman in Baltimore, Mekari took a one-year contract with the Jaguars hoping for a chance to start, and he seized that opportunity with both hands. His work ethic—he was often the first player on the field for practice and the last to leave—has set an example for younger players like Beebe, who will serve as Mekari’s backup this season. As the Jaguars prepare for the 2025 season, Mekari’s presence in the starting lineup gives them a reliable, consistent option at right guard—a position that was a question mark just a few months ago. For the Jacksonville Jaguars, this move isn’t just about filling a spot; it’s about building an offensive line that can compete with the NFL’s top defenses and help the team make a deep playoff run. If Mekari continues to play at the level he showed in camp, he could become a long-term fixture in Jacksonville—and a key part of the team’s success for years to come.