Jacksonville Jaguars 2016 Offseason: Biggest need at defensive line or defensive back?

The Jacksonville Jaguars head into the 2016 offseason with considerably higher expectations than anything they’ve had to shoulder over the past 3 years. Head coach Gus Bradley and general manager David Caldwell have been inextricably linked together since they joined the Jaguars 3 years ago and started what was a mammoth rebuild process.

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Going into year 4, the Jaguars still have plenty of holes along the roster they need to shore up in order to compete for a playoff spot in 2016.

One topic rife with discussion at the moment is what the Jaguars might do with the fifth overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft if both defensive end Joey Bosa and free safety Jalen Ramsey are available. Bosa would join 2015 first round pick Dante Fowler Jr. and give Jacksonville a very promising set of edge rushers, while Ramsey would immediately fill perhaps the most pivotal piece in Gus Bradley’s defensive scheme – the rangy free safety who can cover the entire back end.

I’ve subscribed to the idea the Jaguars will let free agency dictate their board if it comes to the particular scenario described above, but what if things stay the same? What’s the Jaguars biggest area of need right now?

Pro Football Focus thinks it’s the defensive backfield:

"The Jags need to get better along the offensive line, but we’ll go with the defensive backfield as the slightly bigger need, after they posted the third-worst coverage grade in the NFL. Last year’s big-money free-agent pickup at cornerback, Davon House, earned a negative grade on the season, and the only player in the entire secondary to earn a positive grade was Aaron Colvin, who played primarily in the slot. The Jags could look at adding a corner or safety as early as the No. 5 overall pick."

I think the Jaguars do need to upgrade the secondary, but I don’t think the situation is nearly as dire as it appears. Davon House played fairly well last year and did so with what amounted to pretty much no competent safety play over the top. Aaron Colvin is much better in the slot and will likely stay there in 2016. Nick Marshall showed a lot of potential and is a good backup or dime back at worst.

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The most important point in the analysis is this – the Jaguars had no semblance of a pass rush on almost every defensive play. It doesn’t matter how good the secondary is at covering receivers if the quarterback has all day and a clean pocket to survey the field. Wide receivers, tight ends, and running backs will eventually get open given enough time.

If the Jaguars upgrade the pass rush, the secondary will improve by association. I think the defensive line is still the biggest need on this team.

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