Jacksonville Jaguars: Luke Joeckel Brought in to Bolster Offensive Line

With the second overall pick in the 2013 NFL draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars have selected Luke Joeckel, offensive tackle from Texas A&M.

Bleacher Report's NFL Draft Lead Writer, Matt Miller says Luke Joeckel is not only the best pass-blocker among offensive tackles in the draft, but the best overall player in the draft.

Last year, the Jacksonville Jaguars had the NFL’s 29th-ranked offense, and were 30th in sacks allowed.  Joeckel is expected to help those numbers, and will more than likely do so by playing the tackle position in head coach Gus Bradley’s offense.

The Jacksonville Jaguars have one quality NFL starter at tackle in Eugene Monroe.  Adding Joeckel does a few things for the Jaguars. 

First, it adds to the mantra of “competition” that head coach Gus Bradley has instilled in since accepting the position of head coach.  The winner of the competition will play the left tackle position, and the runner-up will presumably play the right tackle position. 

Secondly, it strengthens the atrocious offensive line that allowed over 100 hits to the quarterback in 2012. 

Thirdly, Eugene Monroe is entering the final year of his current contract.  If he is to leave in free agency after this year, Joeckel will take over as the left tackle of the future.  If Monroe extends his contract, the Jaguars will have one of the top set of bookend tackles in the NFL.

Now that the Jaguars have strengthened their line, we’ll see how they address the rest of their needs as the draft continues.