The Kansas City Chiefs drafted Central Michigan tackle Eric Fisher with the first overall pick on Thursday. Luke Joeckel, the No. 2 overall selection, will not soon forget that.
Joeckel had been the No. 1 prospect on a number of big boards in the weeks leading up to the NFL draft, but the Chiefs pulled a mild surprise by deciding to choose Fisher over his Texas A&M counterpart.
The Jaguars quickly snatched up the 6-foot-6 tackle with the No. 2 pick, but Joeckel told Pro Football Talk that he will always remember the Chiefs’ decision to pass on him.
“I wanted that first pick but, you know, it didn’t happen. And that definitely puts a chip on my shoulder,” Joeckel said. “I’m ready to go work, I’m ready to go prove myself. It kind of hurts even more that another offensive tackle was taken before me, so I’m ready to go.
“I’ll probably wake up every single day thinking that and when I’m in the weight room … when I’m lifting, when I’m out in the field working, you know, that’s my entire goal. I grew up in a very competitive family, always wanted to be the best. And you know, going behind another guy in my same position is definitely going to push me.”
This year marked the first time since the AFL-NFL merger that the top two picks were both used on offensive linemen.
