Grading Jacksonville Jaguars 1st-round picks throughout the 2010s

The Jacksonville Jaguars didn’t nail the next two picks either.

2012, 5th overall: Justin Blackmon, wide receiver, Oklahoma State

One of the most dominant wide receivers that the college game has ever seen, Justin Blackmon will go down as one of the biggest “What If” stories in Jaguars history. Drafted fifth overall in 2012, Blackmon seemed poised to become Blaine Gabbert’s go-to target. After the conclusion of his rookie season, it seemed that this was the case as he recorded 64 catches for 865 yards and five touchdowns. He even set Jacksonville’s rookie record for receiving yards in a game with 236.

However, the trouble began in the summer of 2013 when he was handed a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy. After playing in just four games in 2013, he was again suspended for the same reason and never played again. Following this, he would be arrested, checked into rehab, and denied reinstatement by the NFL.

One of the most talented players receivers in the NFL when he was on the field, Blackmon’s personal demons kept him away from the team far too often. Players taken after him include Luke Kuechly, Stephon Gilmore, and Fletcher Cox. Recently, Blackmon has hinted at attempting an NFL comeback via Instagram.

Grade: F

2013: 2nd overall: Luke Joeckel, OT (Texas A&M)

Taken with the second overall pick in 2013, Luke Joeckel was another poor selection. Only five games into his rookie season, the left tackle found himself on the injured reserve list. It never got better from here for Joeckel as he was routinely rated as one of the worst offensive linemen in the NFL by PFF.

After seeing his fifth-year option declined in Jacksonville, Joeckel would spend a season with the Seahawks in 2017. Currently, he is a free agent. To make this selection worse, offensive tackle Lane Johnson, who was selected two picks later, has become a three-time Pro Bowler, an All-Pro, and a Super Bowl champion. While he did give the Jaguars a few years as a starter, much more is expected when taken so highly.

Grade: D