National Football League

Jaguars draft South Carolina guard A.J. Cann in 3rd round

Published May. 1, 2015 10:13 p.m. ET

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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) The Jacksonville Jaguars have selected South Carolina guard A.J. Cann in the third round of the NFL draft.

It was a somewhat expected move considering Jacksonville allowed a franchise-record 71 sacks last season.

General manager Dave Caldwell made it clear that upgrading the offensive line - and protecting franchise quarterback Blake Bortles - was an offseason priority.

Caldwell signed right tackle Jermey Parnell to a five-year, $32 million contract and added veteran center Stefen Wisniewski in free agency last month.

Caldwell says, ''We need to always keep in mind that we need to protect the quarterback and be able to run the ball.''

Cann started 51 games in four years with the Gamecocks and now could supplant veteran Zane Beadles at left guard.

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