The Jaguars have claimed center Demetrius Rhaney off waivers from the Rams, according to Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union (Twitter link). In a corresponding move, Jacksonville has waived offensive lineman Parker Collins.
Rhaney, who turns 25 this week, gives the Jaguars yet another interior offensive line option who will compete for a reserve role throughout the summer. Jacksonville has already targeted guard/center this offseason, spending a second-round pick on Cam Robinson — who figures to slide to guard now that veteran left tackle Branden Albert has reported to Jaguars camp — and signing free agent Earl Watford. With Robinson, center Brandon Linder, and right guard A.J. Cann entrenched in starting roles, Rhaney’s best chance to make Jacksonville’s roster is to beat out Watford, Patrick Omameh, Jeremiah Poutasi, and others for a backup job.
A seventh-round pick in 2014, Rhaney had appeared in all 32 games for the Rams over the past two seasons. However, most of Rhaney’s work has come on special teams, where he’d played 237 snaps from 2015-16. Rhaney did start one contest in 2015 (and played 123 offensive snaps that year).