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Jaguars' Use Draft To Help Offensive Line

POSTED: Saturday, April 25, 2009
UPDATED: 9:49 pm EDT April 25, 2009

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Jacksonville Jaguars have upgraded their offensive line by selecting left tackle Eugene Monroe with the eighth pick in the NFL draft and offensive tackle Eben Britton No. 39.Monroe, a 6-foot-5, 316-pounder from Virginia, was the third offensive tackle taken Saturday, behind No. 2 Jason Smith (Rams) and No. 6 Andre Smith (Bengals). Britton is a 6-foot-5, 317-pounder from Arizona.The Jaguars were thought to be looking to trade their first-round pick, but they never thought Monroe be available to them at No. 8.Monroe is described by Sports Illustrated as a smooth, polished pass protector who moves very well and is a technician with his hands. His tenacity was questioned, but it clearly wasn't bad enough to scare off coach Jack Del Rio.

Eugene Monroe
Virginia - Tackle, 6'5" 309 Pounds

BIOGRAPHY: Full-time starter the past two seasons after playing six games with the first team as a sophomore. ACC All-Conference and All-America selection as a senior. Spent most of his college career at left tackle after seeing sporadic action at right guard as a freshman.
POSITIVES: Athletic, pass-protecting left tackle with a large degree of upside. Blocks with a wide base, good knee bend, and keeps his feet moving. Effectively fights with his hands, stays square and quick in his all-around game. Displays outstanding lateral blocking range, and easily slides out to protect the edge. Fluid moving on his feet, and shows skill blocking in motion. Stays square, keeps the defender in front of him, and shows the ability to handle quick, athletic defenders. Works well with teammates.
NEGATIVES: Not a dominant drive blocker who gets a lot of movement on running downs. Tries to outguess defenders and lets opponents slip past him on occasion. Susceptible to inside moves by defenders. Not considered a very aggressive or tough lineman.
ANALYSIS: Monroe is a prospect whose game has taken off the past two years, and he's an athletic lineman who should only get better as he becomes more experienced at the position. He has starting ability at the next level, and he offers a great amount of upside, yet he needs to improve his playing strength and learn to consistently focus on the task at hand.

Source: Sports Illustrated/CNN

Monroe is the first offensive linemen drafted by Jacksonville in the first round since Tony Boselli in 1995. Boselli turned out to be a five-time Pro Bowl selection.The Jaguars can only hope for the same from Monroe, who is expected to step in for Khalif Barnes at left tackle. Jacksonville parted ways with Barnes after last season, but then signed three-time Pro Bowl left tackle Tra Thomas.Now, the 34-year-old Thomas likely will move to right tackle or serve as a mentor for Monroe.In an interview with NFL.com from Radio City Music Hall immediately after he was chosen by the Jaguars, Monroe was told he'd kept NFL commissioner Roger Goodell waiting on stage while talking on his cell phone.Monroe laughed, "I had the commisioner waiting, but Jacksonville had me on the phone and they told me not to hang up. I'm about to play for them. You gotta be coachable."Britton played right tackle for two seasons before moving to the left side as a junior. He is expected to compete with Tony Pashos at right tackle. Monroe, meanwhile, is expected to replace Khalif Barnes, who left Jacksonville after last season.