Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
The Kansas City Chiefs selected offensive tackle Eric Fisher with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. However, did the Chiefs make a mistake by not drafting left tackle Luke Joeckel?
The Jacksonville Jaguars had to be thrilled when they found out Joeckel was available after Kansas City made their selection. Most draft experts would say that a team could not have gone wrong with either one of these players considering they are so similar talent wise. I am not even saying that the Chiefs did make a mistake by selecting Fisher because it is simply too early to tell. It is impossible to know, at least right now, which of the two players will be the better offensive tackle down the road.
With that being said, Joeckel appears to have the slight edge in several categories. He has been the starting left tackle for Texas A&M since his freshman year. He concluded his college career by winning two trophies, including the Outland Trophy (best interior lineman). He also protected the blind side of Heisman Trophy Award winner Johnny Manziel.
The 6-foot-6, 306-pound lineman is big and strong with long arms that will keep defenders at bay. He is also able to get out of his stance quickly, which is very important in order for him to get set against the league’s top outside pass rushers. He is an overall dominate blocker that uses perfect technique to get the job done. Joeckel also has the ability to recover quickly after he gets beat, something that is very important when protecting a quarterback’s blind side.
It certainly says something that Fisher, out of Central Michigan, flew up the draft charts over the past couple months. His athleticism is obvious, while there is no doubting his strength. However, the fact that he did not go up against the same kind of talent that Joeckel has to be worrisome. It should also be pointed out that even though Fisher did not get beat often in the Senior Bowl one-on-one battles, it certainly happened against the top defensive ends in the draft.
The Chiefs are confident they made the right decision to select Fisher. As of right now, the fans will simply have to take their word that he is the better player.
