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Jacksonville Jaguars: Offensive Line Up For Grabs

By Dan Salem

Dec 27, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Marqise Lee (11) celebrates his two-yard touchdown catch against the New Orleans Saints in the second quarter at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Marqise Lee (11) celebrates his two-yard touchdown catch against the New Orleans Saints in the second quarter at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Jacksonville Jaguars success this season hinges on the improvement of their offensive line. Beachum has the upper hand, but not by much as Joeckel looks to keep his starting job.

Dan Salem and Todd Salem debate in today’s NFL Sports Debate. Two brothers from New York yell, scream, and debate sports.

TODD:

There is a lot of buzz and positive energy surrounding the Jacksonville Jaguars entering the 2016 NFL season. This is partially due to what was a promising offensive season last year, led by the Allens at wide receiver, Robinson and Hurns. This offseason was also productive, especially the draft. Jacksonville added a number of interesting and promising pieces on both sides of the ball.

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One of the moves that came on offense was the addition of free agent left tackle Kelvin Beachum. Beachum had played on Pittsburgh each of the past four seasons. He was a 16-game starter back in 2014, and a pretty good one, before losing more than half the season last year to injury. Injuries have been what has held Beachum back and were what allowed Jacksonville to sign him relatively cheaply this spring.

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I know he is new to the Jaguars offense and system and is coming off a major injury, but I think Beachum should be the team’s starting left tackle over incumbent Luke Joeckel.

Joeckel is a big name with major pedigree. He was the second overall selection in the 2013 NFL Draft and has started at least 14 games each of the past two seasons. But his production seems to have plateaued, and it never reached the heights of what a number-two pick is expected to deliver in the first place. Also, something else that clearly isn’t a positive sign for his future with the team is the fact that management declined to pick up his fifth-year option, paving the way for Joeckel to be out the door upon completion of this season.

According to general manager Dave Caldwell (via Mike DiRocco of ESPN.com), Beachum and Joeckel are expected to compete for the starting gig. The former won’t be healthy and ready to return from ACL surgery until training camp in August. That gives Joeckel yet another edge in the competition. He didn’t want a trade; he apparently wants to compete, which you always like to see. Call it the anti-Sam Bradford sentiment. But I’m not sure he’s good enough to deserve the job.

I could see Beachum not being ready for the season in one way or another. It seems perfectly plausible that Joeckel will be needed. This is a good solution for the Jaguars to have, which made the signing a smart one for the team. But in an odd bit of circumstance, assuming health, I would give the position battle advantage to the former seventh-round selection who’s never played for Jacksonville before.

Jan 3, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) is tackled by Houston Texans outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus (59) and defensive tackle Christian Covington (95) during the second half at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) is tackled by Houston Texans outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus (59) and defensive tackle Christian Covington (95) during the second half at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

DAN:

If Beachum returns fully healthy in early August, I find it difficult to envision a situation where he does not win the starting job on Jacksonville’s offensive line. An early August return gives him multiple Pre-season games to get adjusted and slot into the Jaguars’ offense. It allows him to assert his talent and make his presence known. Jacksonville needs him to do this.

The Jaguars had a nice season last year, but the team was near the very bottom of the league in running the football. Beachum comes from a team known for its dominating rushing attack. His former team the Steelers was very good running the football when Beachum was fully healthy and on their line. Back in 2014, Pittsburgh was 16th in the NFL in rushing, while the Jaguars were 21st in 2014 and 27th last season.

To further hurt Joeckel’s case for the starting job, the Jaguars have been awful in pass protection. After coming in dead last in 2014 with 71 sacks allowed, a full 13 sacks worse than the next team in the league, Jacksonville was fourth-worst in the NFL last season with 51 sacks allowed. The Steelers were near the middle of the league in both years, considerably better than what went on in Jacksonville.

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Joeckel was a member of an offensive line that did not meet expectations. He is an excellent safety net for the team to have, but the entire organization must be hoping Beachum returns to his former glory this summer and throughout the season.

Something has to change on the offensive line for the Jaguars to get over the hump and win more games. The running attack will be improved, but giving up sacks at such a high rate is a problem that no team can overcome. If Beachum doesn’t win the job, then Joeckel better find that magic which got him picked second overall.

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