Jacksonville Jaguars 2013 NFL Draft Class: Where Are They Now?
The 2017 NFL Draft is right around the corner, and Jacksonville Jaguars fans everywhere are praying that this years draft class doesn’t end up like 2013’s.
The 2013 NFL Draft class was arguably one of the worst (if not the worst) in franchise history. Four years later, not a single player remains on the Jacksonville Jaguars roster. No Pro Bowl players, no franchise players, nothing. This was the first draft under new (at the time) general manager Dave Caldwell. While his first draft was relatively unsuccessful, Caldwell did a good job of making up for it in the 2014 NFL Draft.
Let’s take a look at where the 2013 draft class is today:
Luke Joeckel: Round 1, Pick #2. Texas A&M
With the number two overall pick, the Jaguars selected Luke Joeckel, tied for the highest draft pick in franchise history. Joeckel was an offensive lineman, the third one ever taken by the Jaguars in the first round.
The 6’6″ 306-pound offensive tackle was the first player from Texas A&M to be drafted by the Jaguars, and the highest drafted offensive lineman in school history. Joeckel was considered the best offensive tackle in the nation, and at the time was a no-brainer for the line-needy Jaguars. The Jaguars ended up signing him to a four-year deal worth about 21 million dollars.
Joeckel’s rookie season didn’t last very long, as the newcomer only played in five games due to an ankle injury. In his second season he started all 16 games, but was responsible for eight quarterback sacks, and was ranked one of the worst offensive linemen in the NFL by Pro Football Focus. His third season with the Jaguars didn’t differ much from the previous one, and only played in a couple of games in 2016 due to an ankle injury that sidelined him for the rest of the season.
As a number two overall pick, the Jaguars expected a lot from Joeckel. He was great in college, but never transitioned well to the NFL. To many fans, Joeckel is just another name on the seemingly never-ending list of busts who were drafted by the Jaguars. He was not re-signed at the end of his rookie contract in early 2017.
Where is he now: On March 11th, 2017, Joeckel signed a one-year contract with the Seattle Seahawks as a left guard. His one year contract is worth eight million, with seven million guaranteed.