Examining draft pick Brandon Linder

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Taking a deeper look at each of the Jacksonville Jaguars' nine draft picks:

Guard Brandon Linder

Round drafted (pick): Third (No. 93 overall).

Height and weight: 6-feet-6, 311 pounds.

Stat(s) to know: Miami credited Linder with 10 touchdown-resulting blocks in 2012. … He led the ‘Canes with 84 knockdown blocks and 11 touchdown-resulting blocks in 2013. … He started 42 of the 49 games he played at Miami (37 at right guard, two at left guard, and three at center). … He did 30 bench press reps of 225 pounds at the combine.

Where he fits: The belief was that the Jaguars drafted him to become the starter at right guard and that was reinforced when the team released Will Rackley, who had started 11 games at the spot last season. The interior of the offensive line was a weakness last season and the Jaguars addressed left guard in free agency by signing Zane Beadles. Mike Brewster is the favorite to win the job at center and the addition of Linder completes the rebuild.

Concern(s): Though he's strong, nasty and tough, Linder is not exceptionally athletic. One scouting report says there's a concern with how effective he can be at cutting off linebackers when he's on the move. If he doesn't win the starting spot the Jaguars will struggle at the spot.

Rookie projection: Linder is smart and durable and should win the starting job at right guard and play every snap in 2014.


(espn.com)