STRENGTHS - Joeckel is an elite athlete that plays with outstanding quickness, agility and balance. His wide base and leverage allows him to shuffle side to side with ease to adjust to counter moves. He is quick off the LOS and does an excellent job of staying under control when out in space. He consistently diagnoses games and blitzes correctly and works well with his fellow linemen to make pre and post-snap adjustments.
WEAKNESSES - Joeckel lacks elite natural strength and can be driven backward by aggressive bull rushers despite excellent leverage. He lacks a consistent punch and tends to attack his man outside his frame, allowing the defender to establish positioning inside. On run blocks he struggles to get consistent movement off the LOS and has to rely on technique and athleticism to tie his man up and sustain blocks.
SUMMARY - Texas A&M Freshman QB Johnny Manziel improvised his way to the Heisman Trophy and a critical part of his success was the consistency and productivity of left tackle Luke Joeckel. Joeckel combines outstanding quickness, agility and balance with consistent base and leverage to make himself a highly efficient pass blocker. He has an excellent kick slide off the snap and is consistently able to protect the edge with his quickness and length. He isn't a mauler-type and needs to focus on consistent hand placement, but his ability to maintain blocks to the whistle on overly extended plays sets him apart from the rest of the draft class (of course, outside his teammate Jake Matthews). Overall, Joeckel has a shot at being the top pick of the draft, should start as a rookie and looks like a future pro-bowler.