Luke Joeckel To Jaguars? Recapping Todd McShay’s Mock

Feb 21, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Texas A

Todd McShay’s mock draft went out on Wednesday and he thinks the Jacksonville Jaguars could really use left tackle Luke Joeckel out of Texas A&M.  There has been a lot of talk about Joeckel going to the Jaguars, despite the Kansas City Chiefs apparently being open to taking Joeckel and shifting or dealing Braden Albert, and I don’t really buy it.  I would much rather take Chance Warmack and fill a need on the team than take another high quality left tackle when Eugene Monroe is still with the team.

My opinions aside, McShay gets payed much more than me to project who thinks the Jaguars should take.  Here is his analysis:

"Upgrading the pass rush is the top need for a team that finished with a league-worst 20 sacks in 2012. Here, DE Ezekiel Ansah, DE/OLB Dion Jordan and DE/OLBBarkevious Mingo are viable options.But the highest-rated prospect available is Joeckel, and the Jaguars need help on that line as well. They surrendered 50 sacks last season and finished with third-fewest rushing yards in the NFL. The Jaguars would need to do some shuffling to make all the parts fit, but drafting Joeckel would immediately improve the mean age and the talent level of their offensive line.Something to keep in mind: Coordinator Jedd Fisch’s offense does feature more man-blocking, so it will be interesting to see whether the Jaguars believe Joeckel — or our No. 2-rated OT Eric Fisher — can develop into a good system fit."

June 12, 2012; Jacksonville FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars tackle Eugene Monroe (75) during minicamp at Florida Blue Health

GM Dave Caldwell has already said that the team will be a needs-based drafting team.  That means holes at defensive end and guard are more likely to be addressed first over getting a quality left tackle and forcing either Joeckel or Monroe to play right tackle when a cheaper (pick-wise) and more fitting candidate could be had in the mid rounds.

I commend McShay for doing his homework and seeing that OC Fisch used a man-blocking scheme at Miami (Florida).  That said, the Jaguars have openly said their will be a focus on implementing a new zone blocking scheme under Fisch this season.  Will there be man blocking elements?  Yes.  Will it be the predominant focus?  No.

I disagree with this pick and don’t think the Jaguars will take Joeckel.  I suspect one of the multitude of top-ranked pass rushers or a top ranked guard like Warmack are far more likely for the Jaguars.  McShay would know this if he paid more attention to the word out of Jacksonville.

Of course, nothing is off the board as the team rebuilds following such an horrendous season.

– Luke N. Sims

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