Jacksonville Jaguars 2016 NFL Draft: Biggest need still pass rusher

Finishing with a disappointing 5-11 record in 2015, head coach Gus Bradley is under pressure to win for the first time in his tenure as he heads into the offseason. Entering the last year of his contract, Bradley needs to not only demonstrate dramatic improvement on the defensive side of the ball, he needs to win more games.

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One factor that should help Bradley right away is the return of 2015 first round pick Dante Fowler Jr..

The highly touted edge rusher landed on injured reserve almost immediately after trotting onto the practice field for the first time, but he should be completely rehabbed and ready to go in offseason activities. He’ll be the primary piece of the puzzle that is the Jaguars pass rushing unit.

Outside of Fowler, it’s fair to say the Jaguars have absolutely nothing in terms of edge rushers. While general manager David Caldwell should open up his wallet to try and lure some premier free agents, the Jaguars will likely have to also dip into the draft for contributions in that area.

Michael DiRocco over at ESPN still considers the Jaguars biggest draft need to be pass rusher:

"There is no debate over the Jaguars’ biggest draft need: pass rusher. That’s their No. 1 priority in free agency and the draft because it was the root of their defense’s problems in 2015. Last year’s third overall pick DE Dante Fowler Jr. missed ’15 with a torn ACL, so he’ll essentially be a rookie in 2016 — and DEs Andre Branch and Chris Clemons aren’t expected back. The Jaguars need to add at least two players that can rush the passer. — Mike DiRocco"

Our own Luke Sims has a similar opinion, listing pass rusher/LEO as his number 2 draft need on defense:

"2) Defensive end/edge rusher/LeoSecond behind free safety, the lack of a proven pass rusher has hurt the Jacksonville Jaguars for years. While some seasons, like 2014, have yielded decent sack totals, there hasn’t been a consistent pass rusher for the Jaguars in arguably a decade.The current rotation is weak and the Jaguars coaching staff knows it. They need to improve the unit as a whole, and that can mean using another high draft pick on finding a quality edge rusher. Fowler can’t solve the problems entirely on his own, especially in just his first year as an NFL player."

I certainly agree that pass rusher is a need for the Jaguars, but we’ll have to wait and see if it should be categorized as a “draft” need. I sincerely think the Jaguars are going to make a hard push to sign someone like Olivier Vernon or whoever ends up being the best pass rusher on the free agent market.

Even if they do land a big free agent, I still expect the Jaguars to invest another draft pick or two on the defensive line. It may not be in the first round, but the Jaguars need youth and speed along their defensive front.

Unless Joey Bosa drops to them at #5, I think the Jaguars will wait until the middle rounds of the draft to bolster the defensive line.

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