Brandon Linder, Luke Bowanko, and the State of the Offensive Line

The Jacksonville Jaguars have had many major issues over the past few years, and one of the key problems to a lack of success has been offensive line performance and consistency.

Brad Meester

Early in the Jaguars existence, the Jaguars had solid offensive lines almost every year, spearheaded by players like Tony Boselli and Brad Meester. However, as players left and grew older, the bringing in of new talent has not gone as well as expected.

Tony Boselli

If you need proof that the 'big uglies' are vital to a team's success, go look at the correlation between the Jaguars regular season record and their sacks allowed.

2013 Regular Season Record: 4-12
      Sacks Allowed: 50

Versus a team like the 49ers.

2013 Regular Season Record: 12-4
      Sacks Allowed: 6

The difference is unmistakable. Offensive line play is crucial to success in the NFL.

With this in mind, the Jaguars needed some help in this years off-season. Last season, the Jaguars drafted OT Luke Joeckel with the 2nd overall pick, and while he showed some promise in the season, Joeckel had a high ankle fracture in early October, leaving him out for the season. The other major move the Jaguars have made to offensive line was the free agent signing of OG Zane Beadles from the Denver Broncos. Beadles is a strong, smart guard, who has started 62 of 64 possible games for the Broncos.

Zane Beadles

So. Going into the 2014 NFL Draft, the Jaguars had improvements, but still needed interior help. Most expected the Jaguars to take some interior linemen, a guard or a center.

And that's exactly what they did.

The Jaguars' first two rounds were one of the most active and stunning rounds of the draft, taking QB Blake Bortles' at No. 3 overall, and taking WRs Marquis Lee and Allen Robinson at No. 39 and No. 61 respectively. The trade with the 49ers to move up and take Robinson left the Jaguars without a 3rd round pick. However, the Jaguars traded back into the 3rd round, trading with the Patriots for the 93rd overall pick, and giving up picks No. 105 and No. 179. The Jaguars then used this pick to select OG Brandon Linder from the University of Miami, FL.

Brandon Linder

Linder is 6'6 and is 311 lbs, a good, solid size for a guard. Linder started 42 games for Miami, and in 2013 was 2nd Team All-ACC. Linder is known for his intelligence on the field and his finishing of blocks and playing to the whistle. While he isn't the most athletic guard, he has a high football IQ, and will be the probable starter at RG, replacing Uche Nwaneri.

Early in the final day of the draft, the Jaguars began defensively, and it wasn't until the 6th round that they contributed back to the offensive line. In the 6th round, the Jaguars took C Luke Bowanko at pick No. 205 from the University of Virginia.

Luke Bowanko

Bowanko started 38 games for Virginia, and is 6'6, and 302 lbs. Compared to expected starting center Mike Brewster(6'3, 292 lbs), Bowanko is huge. However, what Brewster lacks in size, he makes up for in athletic ability and awareness. Bowanko will not be the opening week starter at center, save for a injury or something else drastic happens to Brewster. Bowanko will provide competition for the position, which is what GM Dave Caldwell and Head Coach Gus Bradley really want.

The future is bright for the Jaguars' offensive line. There is a lot of young talent, and with the right coaching and development, the Jaguars could have one of the strongest lines in the NFL in a year or two.

Links:

Brandon Linder vs University of Pittsburgh, Aaron Donald

Brandon Linder vs Louisville

(Sorry, no real videos of Luke Bowanko, except for one...)

Hopefully Bowanko Doesn't Do This For the Jaguars