Jacksonville Jaguars Depth Chart – Defensive Tackle

With the 2014 NFL Draft in our rearview mirror, it’s time to look ahead and see what the Jacksonville Jaguars’ roster might look like come week 1 of the regular season. With 9 draft picks and several free-agent acquisitions this offseason, the active roster in 2014 will likely look very different from what we saw in 2013.

Today we take a look at the guys plugging up holes in the middle – defensive tackle.

The Jaguars are quite a bit removed from the days when they dominated the trenches with Marcus Stroud and John Henderson. Head coach Gus Bradley shook things up when he came in by moving Tyson Alualu to defensive end and bringing in an entirely new defensive tackle rotation. Here’s how the group looked in 2013.

2013 SEASON

[table id=18/]

Roy Miller was the big (pun intended) signing last offseason, but he was not the most impactful one. That honor went to former Tennessee Titan Sen’Derrick Marks. After 4 mediocre seasons in Tennessee, Marks was a pass rushing force along the interior defensive line. He was arguably the most effective player on defense and earned a 4-year contract extension before the season ended. Roy Miller wasn’t the run-stopping behemoth he was expected to be, but he should be given another chance in 2014.

Here’s how I see the group right now:

2014 SEASON

[table id=19/]

Miller and Marks will play the same roles they did last season, but Marks will be getting some help in the form of Ziggy Hood. Marks played way too many snaps last year and it showed in his declined play near the end of the season. Hood was a disappointment in Pittsburgh, but he should get better playing his natural position inside as opposed to defensive end. DeAndre Coleman is an intriguing prospect, and probably has the best chance of the undrafted free agents to make the roster.

-Daniel Lago