JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Jaguars announced Monday that they signed third-round draft pick Brandon Linder, their third round draft pick out of the University of Miami who is already battling fourth-year veteran Jacques McClendon for a starting job at right guard.
Linder, the first Hurricane player ever drafted by the franchise, is a 6-foot-6, 311-pounder who was rated as only a seventh rounder or priority free agent, 274th overall, by NFLDraftScout.com before the Jags took him with the 93rd pick of the draft.
He quickly showed in rookie camp and OTAs that the team did not make a mistake in trading away a low draft pick to move up and select Linder.
Although McClendon continues to ward off the challenge, many think it will only be a matter of time when fall camp opens that the more physical Linder gets the advantage.
While McClendon has been in the NFL for four seasons, he is still not an accomplished veteran. He played in just nine games with two starts. But the Jaguars always liked his athleticism and versatility to play several positions (either guard spot or center). Through the first two weeks of OTAs, McClendon maintained a firm hold in running with the first unit.
Linder was a four-year player with the Hurricanes, starting all but five of his 42 starts at right guard. He also has the advantage of playing under current Jaguars offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch who coached Linder a couple of seasons in Miami.
“For me, it’s just about trying to get better every day and do my best and kind of watching what the vets do,” Linder said. “He (McClendon] is helping me with the plays and my technique and showing me how it’s done with him being a veteran.”
In other transactions Monday, the Jaguars signed rookie wide receiver Brandon Wimberly and waived offensive tackle DeMarcus Love.
Wimberly (6-3, 225) participated in the club’s rookie minicamp in May on a workout basis. He was a four-time All-Mountain West selection at Nevada, playing in 49 career games.