Consensus number one pick Luke Joeckel is looking forward to getting the chance to fulfill his childhood dream of being drafted into the NFL. But is the Texas A&M lineman expecting to be the first playing off the board in 2013?
“I don’t expect to be number one,” said Joeckel. “Of course I would like to be and will compete to earn that spot. For me, it’s just going to be great to be able to be drafted because it is my dream to be in the NFL draft. To be able to make an NFL team tomorrow is special, but for me it is working to get on the field.”
One potential suitor for Joeckel, should he fall past the top three spots is Philadelphia. Chip Kelly showed a high level of interest in the offensive lineman. Joeckel was not shy about his feelings about being drafted by Philly.
“Their up-tempo offense would be a great fit for me because we ran that with coach Sumlin at Texas A&M. We brought that into the SEC last season and many teams hadn’t seen that before. I fit in well with that offense and am comfortable with it. I think the film and game tape will show you that.”
Should concerns arise about Joeckel’s ability to protect the blindside, he has mulled a positional switch along the offensive line if necessary.
“I am willing to play right tackle if it means that I will get on the field. I do feel I offer the footwork and the technique to play left tackle. I feel that I have the detailed work to play the position and that I love the challenge to block freak athletes like Jason Pierre-Paul and Clay Matthews.”
Many will speculate that Joeckel is a first-rounder because of his dominance sealing the edge in college football’s best conference, the SEC. It appears that the only thing separating Joeckel from being selected the number one pick is Eric Fisher, another talented left tackle prospect. Fisher is projected as the number two lineman behind Joeckel and could very well be the number two pick Thursday.
Whether Joeckel is selected one, two, or below, he will be a happy man either way.
“My dream is to play football in the NFL. And no matter where I go, I’m going to be happy.”
