Branch is the first Jaguars draft pick to sign with the team and should set the stage for first round pick wide receiver Justin Blackmon’s signing.  The Jaguars picks are taking there time being signed by the team, which will result in the picks following the trends set by picks from the same/similar rounds and positions.

Branch’s 18.5 sacks (10.5 in 2011) over his career are hopefully going to translate into more sacks for the Jaguars pass rush as they focus on getting to the opposing quarterback more.  Defensive line coach Joe Cullen is excited about the potential found in Branch and is optimistic about the progress he has made in the rookie mini-camp and OTAs.

Branch’s signing marks a step in the right direction for the Jaguars and will hopefully usher in signing of the other picks soon.

- Luke N. Sims

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Wide receiver has received a lot of attention recently.  And as it should.  The Jaguars signed Laurent Robinson from Dallas who they believe can make another step to a top level in the NFL.  The Jags also drafted Justin Blackmon, the consensus best receiver in the 2011 draft.  They further added insurance by bringing in Lee Evans from Baltimore who, if he recovers, could have a shot at making the roster and performing well despite depleted numbers in seasons past.

But what about defensive end?  What happened to the position that the Jaguars felt was so necessary to upgrade?  As we all know, the pursuit of re-signing DE Jeremy Mincey was a success (thankfully).  He led the team with eight sacks in 2011 and appears to be on the rise, entering the prime of his career.  But what of the other defensive end slot?

The Jaguars used a “guess and check” philosophy at defensive end last season.  They grabbed as many mid-range DEs as they could find and tried them at the spot, hoping that one of them would stick.  Mincey stuck on one side.  But what of the other?

Austen Lane has been a coaching favorite since being picked in the fifth round of the 2010 draft. He'll have to prove he can hang with Branch to continue being given opportunities. Source: Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE

Matt Roth seemed to be doing well last season with 3.5 sacks (tied for second best on the team).  John Chick also seemed to be coming on strong at some points (2.5 sacks).  But really, the only player that the team had some solid confidence in, or so it felt, was Austen Lane who ended the season with one sack in six games (one game started).

So, who’s going to make the jump to hold down the defensive end slot?  Matt Roth was let go during free agency, John Chick is a rotation man, and Austen Lane just may be supplanted as the coaches’ favorite.  Enter, Andre Branch.

The team picked Branch from Clemson in the second round of the 2012 draft.  He has long arms, a big body, high motor, and appears to have a knack for getting after the quarterback.  Defensive line coach Joe Cullen is very excited about Branch.  It appears that Cullen may have even coveted the player heading into the draft.

Branch has yet to play at pro football speed, but if we can believe what the coaches are saying, he definitely has the opportunity to be successful in the NFL.  And not just because of the physical tools that the Jags saw in him.  Branch knows that at the NFL level, everybody you’re playing is there because they are good.  He knows that he has the physical tools to be successful but isn’t thinking that is how he is going to beat the opposition.  He knows he needs to outmuscle, outposition, and outthink the man in front of him.

Branch knows he wants to be better than average.  He wants to be great.

Here in Jacksonville, with an open defensive end slot, it looks like he’ll be given every opportunity to become just that.

- Luke N. Sims

Gene Smith rightly stuck to his board and decided to go with the player he knew he could be comfortable with to revamp the pass rush.

Branch has great size at 6’4″ and 259 pounds and will provide the physically imposing presence the Jaguars need opposite Jeremy Mincey and complementing the smaller Tyson Alualu and massive Terrance ‘Pot Roast’ Knighton.  Oh and he has some skills.

Branch racked up 10.5 sacks for Clemson in his senior year as well as 17 tackles behind the line of scrimmage.  Not bad for a player that accounted for a total of 77 tackles last year.

The Branch selection isn’t about getting the best pass rusher available (though he is very good) or about getting the biggest man the Jaguars could find (though he is quite massive) or the fastest (his 1.56 ten yard split is nice), but rather about getting a player that will fit well in the Jaguars system.

The Jags system is a 4-3 that relies on basic scheming so players must be able to act instinctively and fulfill their responsibilities.  Branch is a player that can do that.  He’ll perform well for Mel Tucker and for the Jaguars organization on the whole.

Welcome to the team sir!

- Luke N. Sims