Jacksonville Jaguars’ front 7 can dominate in 2016
By Luke Sims
The Jacksonville Jaguars have invested heavily in creating a front seven that can dominate opponents and it may finally pay off.
Last offseason the biggest news to the front seven was the additions of Jared Odrick, Dan Skuta, and Dante Fowler Jr. After on season playing sans-Fowler it was clear that there needed to be bigger investment made.
This led to the addition of Myles Jack at linebacker and Malik Jackson at defensive tackle and Yannick Ngakoue to play alongside Fowler at defensive end. There’s no doubt that the additions will help in 2016.
These additions are a significant portion of the reason why Chris Wesseling at NFL.com has named the Jags’ front seven the most improved heading into 2016. The ability of the Jags to rotate these additions from this year and last year along with players like Sen’Derrick Marks, Roy Miller III, Tyson Alualu, and Ryan Davis, in addition to stud linebackers Paul Posluszny and Telvin Smith is what makes the Jags’ front seven so dangerous.
From the top to the bottom, the front seven is ready to throw a multitude of talented players at the offense throughout the game, keeping fresh legs for the team and making the offense account for many players with different skills and looks.
Why this is so important for the Jags is that head coach Gus Bradley’s defense is reliant on a strong rotation on the defensive line that enables players to attack fresh and let the other members of the defense make plays (when they aren’t). Bradley hasn’t had top level talent on his front seven since he came to the Jags in 2013 but he may finally have it in 2016.
If Bradley’s defense is to be successful, it requires improved personnel. Now, after three seasons of some of the worst Jags defenses in franchise history, we may finally see if Bradley’s defense can actually be executed. There are no more excuses for Bradley in 2016, especially with a front seven finally tailor made for his defense.
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This is a front seven that can dominate.