JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Filling their biggest need, the Jacksonville Jaguars have selected Clemson defensive end Andre Branch in the second round of the NFL draft.
The Jaguars took Branch with the 38th overall pick in the three-day draft, taking him with the sixth choice in Friday night’s second round.
The 6-foot-4, 259-pound pass rusher had 10 sacks and 17 tackles for a loss last season, but has been criticized for inconsistency over his four-year career.
Jacksonville desperately needed help on the defensive line. Veteran Aaron Kampman has missed 15 games the last two season because of injuries. Fellow ends John Chick, Austen Lane and Aaron Morgan also are coming off injuries. The Jaguars ranked sixth in the league in total defense and had 31 sacks in 2011, up from 26 the previous year.
