The Jacksonville Jaguars drafted Luke Joeckel No. 2 overall in the 2013 NFL Draft, and then did something you don't normally ask of No. 2 overall picks: They made him change positions.
With Eugene Monroe at left tackle, the Jaguars want Joeckel to get used to right tackle as a rookie. After three days of a rookie minicamp, it sounds like the transition is going well.
"It's feeling a lot better than I thought it would," Joeckel said, via the Florida Times-Union.
Joeckel received kudos for looking great over the weekend, which we'd expect. He was facing off against other rookies and tryout players. And NFL teams aren't in the habit of criticizing top picks for their play in shorts.
We are surprised Joeckel's position change has received so little attention nationally. Monroe possibly is the Jaguars' best player, and they drafted another player at the same position. It seems likely that the Jaguars will let Monroe leave after 2013 in free agency, so Joeckel can move to the left side.
"I can go back there any time," Joeckel said. "That's really where my comfort zone is."
Perhaps Monroe will be available in a trade during training camp, but it's more likely that he will play out the final year of his contract in 2013. If the Jaguars struggle in the passing game again in 2013, it won't be because of their offensive tackles.
Follow Gregg Rosenthal on Twitter @greggrosenthal.
