How 2015 Jacksonville Jaguars Offensive Line Has Improved from 2014 Version

If any positional group struggled as a whole in 2014 for the Jacksonville Jaguars, it was the offensive line. Porous against most pass rushes and average at best in the run game, the offensive line struggled more than any other group on the team.

It wasn't just the quality of the players, but various things like changing quarterbacks and injuries never allowed the offensive line to really grow as a unit. It's an unappreciated aspect of a positional group, and it was apparent last season. 

Letting up 71 sacks in a single season is the most popular stat thrown when it comes to the offensive line, but it's not the full story. The line did a decent job in the running game, and there were standouts: Brandon Linder and Luke Bowanko.

The two rookies had spectacular seasons for their expectations, and they were the bright spots of the line, while veterans like 2014 starter Zane Beadles and Austin Pasztor struggled or, in Pasztor's case, dealt with injury.

Injury slowly inhibited the Jaguars line, but the lack of depth at tackle showed when Pasztor was injured toward the end of the season. Josh Wells and Sam Young put in noble efforts, but neither have the talent to start in the NFL, especially when they were both rookies.

Beadles struggled more than anyone expected him to, but recent news from Jaguars.com has said that Beadles is changing his game and not planning on losing his starting job. If he's able to find his 2012 Pro Bowl form, the Jaguars will be in great shape on the interior.

Phelan M. Ebenhack/Associated Press

However, the Jaguars have plans to erase the blunders of 2014. Investments in Jermey Parnell, Brennan Williams and Stefen Wisniewski as well as selecting A.J. Cann in the third round to provide a starter and competition to the offensive line.

Wisniewski has been a great addition and is competing with Bowanko at center, and it ought to push both of them to new heights. Wisniewski can take the starting job before the season starts, but he has to go through Bowanko to get it.

At right tackle, Parnell has been one of the most talented tackles in the NFL to not be a complete starter. Sitting behind Tyron Smith and Doug Free to learn the tackle position with the Dallas Cowboys has obviously paid off, and his eight games as a starter in 2014 were nearly flawless.

Williams will primarily be a depth tackle, but Cann is gunning for Beadles' position. With 51 career starts at South Carolina, Cann is polished enough to be a Week 1 starter.

According to Florida Times-Union's Hays Carlson's Twitter, offensive coordinator Greg Olson has been more than satisfied with Cann's polish. It's great news for the offensive line, but it may not be what Beadles wanted to hear:

Linder and Luke Joeckel don't have any direct competition, but they'll be pressured to match the performances of a now-improved offensive line. Along with Bowanko, they make up 60 percent of the offensive line, and each only have one full season under their belt.

What they lack in experience they make up for in talent, and while Joeckel hasn't been everything you want out of a first-round selection, he's been improving. 

It's easily apparent that this offensive line is seeing more depth and overall competition at nearly every position. What's more important is that the majority of the team is young and will continue to develop as a squad.

Injury can strike at any time, but the offensive line is off to a great start to developing as a group. Syncing up with each other and with the rest of the offense is the next step of improving. 

It's not a perfect unit yet, but the 2015 edition of the Jaguars offensive line is years and talent ahead than where it was a year ago. 

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Evan Reier is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report covering the Jacksonville Jaguars. Follow Evan on Twitter at @evanreier.