Luke Joeckel & Ryan Davis taking reps at new positions

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The Jaguars left tackle Luke Joeckel has been taking reps at guard early in 2016 OTAs.

By Jordan de Lugo - @jordandelugo

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Dave Caldwell, the General Manager for the Jags, made his first draft pick in 2013. With the second overall pick in the 2013 Draft he decided to draft Luke Joeckel, an athletic left tackle that he projected to be a book end tackle for years to come. It's now 2016 and Caldwell's vision for Joeckel as a player hasn't exactly worked out. Joeckel was having a decent (according to the Jaguars) 2015 campaign as the teams starting left tackle until he was abused against Houston in the Jags final contest of the season. 

It became clear early this offseason that the Jaguars were no longer as confident in the former second overall pick as once stated, when the team elected to sign a new left tackle in Kelvin Beachum. Beachum suffered a torn ACL in 2015, but prior to his injury was playing some of the best football of any left tackle in the league.  A healthy Beachum is projected by most to easily beat out Joeckel in a competition for the starting left tackle spot, which left many wondering where the Jags would go with Joeckel. 

The teams dissatisfaction with their former starting left tackle became even more clear when they elected not to pick up his fifth year option, but who would have for a player who has been a massive disappointment?

Many argued that Joeckel would move inside to left guard and remain a starter, while others disagreed with that notion claiming Joeckel isn't physical enough to play guard. 

Well, it appears, at least for now, that Joeckel will get a shot to start at guard as he is now taking reps at guard and tackle in OTAs.  

Ryan Davis is one of the few hold overs from the old regime. He started with the Jaguars in 2012 as an undrafted free agent and has made a mark for himself recording 10 sacks over the last two seasons. Most of his pass rush success has come when he works against guards which is surprising due to his smallish size. Many projected him to be a lighting package (the Jaguars pass rush heavy sub package) player in 2016, but the Jags have other plans.

Davis is working primarily as an OTTO, which is a linebacker who plays around the line of scrimmage a lot and occasionally has coverage duties. In terms of Davis' measurables it seems like it could be a fit, but he hasn't played a linebacker type position at all in the pros, which makes this a huge transition for the former Bethune-Cookman star. Defensive coordinator Todd Wash referred to Davis as a "LOTTO" or a combination of a LEO (pass rusher) and an OTTO (linebacker). This transition will give Davis the opportunity to be on the field more often. 

Stay tuned to see how these positions changes play out!