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**NYC4jags** · 12-10-2014, 12:12 AM

Many posters here are calling for broad-sweeping changes along the O-line. If you believe Ryan O'Halloran - that probably won't happen.

Quote:Get used to the group that started seven games together this year — left tackle Luke Joeckel, left guard Zane Beadles, center Luke Bowanko, right guard Brandon Linder and possibly right tackle Austin Pasztor.

All but Pasztor should be considered locks to start next year’s opener.

The Jaguars should sign a mid-level free agent to compete with Pasztor. He gave up five sacks in eight games and will spend the next few months rehabilitating a ruptured hamstring sustained in the Giants game.

A look at the group:

JOECKEL

The Jaguars stress — both publicly and behind the scenes — how he’s really in his first NFL season playing left tackle. He played 12 snaps there last year before breaking his ankle and has started all 14 games this season.

Thankfully, the statute of limitations on that excuse/storyline is just about expired.

In my game-charting, I have Joeckel responsible for eight sacks this year. The jury remains out on Joeckel, which is understandable. Next year is huge for him.

BEADLES

He was this administration’s first big free agent signing (five years, $30 million, $12.45 million guaranteed, last March).

Beadles has been decent in pass protection and has only two penalties. He is the only player on offense to play every snap.

An instant leader by default, Beadles’ play has steadied after a rocky first month that included a transition to a new blocking scheme.

BOWANKO

He would have started the opener if it weren’t for a preseason ankle injury. And he appears to be a steal … and make up for the organization’s miscalculation on thinking Mike Brewster was the answer.

It looks like he knows how to hold without being penalized and the big thing is that you don’t see him getting pushed back by a bull rush.

A steal of a pick in the sixth round.

LINDER

The Jaguars traded up to take him in the third round and he was a Week 1 starter. He has missed one game because of a shoulder injury.

Linder’s had two rough games (three sacks against Washington and two against Tennessee), but he has definitely improved and more than held his own against Houston’s J.J. Watt on Sunday.

PASZTOR

The Jaguars converted him from guard to tackle during the 2013 offseason and he became the right tackle once Joeckel moved to the left side, got hurt and Cam Bradfield slid over.

Last year, Pasztor showed enough that even though he underwent shoulder surgery that kept him out until camp this summer, he was the no-doubt starter. But more injuries — a broken hand that required surgery in mid-August (he missed the first four games) and then the aforementioned hamstring injury (which also needed an operation). That’s three surgeries in less than a year.

Availability has been a huge factor in some of the decisions made by general manager Dave Caldwell, as linebacker Daryl Smith, cornerback Derek Cox, left guard Will Rackley and running backs Maurice Jones-Drew and Justin Forsett were allowed to walk or were cut after injury-plagued seasons.

Pasztor is a restricted free agent and I expect the Jaguars to tender him, but also bring in solid competition for his spot.

Personally, I'd like to see at least two mid-tier (or better) free agents added for competition as well as a 4th or 5th round pick. Hopefully Caldwell can find a FA or two worth the effort in what seems to be a lackluster crop.