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Jaguars Rookie Review: Andre Branch a non-factor

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The Jacksonville Jaguars got some contribution out of rookies in the 2012 season, but not all rookies contributed in the good sense of the word. The Jaguars took Andre Branch in the second round in hopes to help bolster their pass rush, but it didn't really work out as they had hoped. Early on in training camp, Branch looked like he had the athleticism to at least create pressure from the defensive end spot, it never really carried into the season.

As ProFootballFocus notes, Branch was woefully disappointing as a rookie:

The Jaguars' yearly search for an edge rusher led them to Branch, but it was a difficult start to his career. He picked up only 14 pressures on his 259 rush attempts to post a -10.5 grade as a pass rusher and a PRP of 4.5 that ranked 58th out of 62 4-3 defensive ends.

Branch flashed in the preseason, but didn't seem to generate much pressure as the regular season rolled around, but then again none of the Jaguars defensive lineman did with any consistency. Branch wound up having the lowest overall grade of all of the Jaguars defensive ends, according to PFF in 2012. It can only go up for Branch and he may fit better in the LEO role if Bradley runs that style of defense, as we expect.