Under Further Review: The Jaguars defensive tackles in 2019
By David Levin
The Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackles could look at lot different in 2019 after the front office makes decisions what to do with high priced veterans.
Besides the tight end and quarterback position, the Jaguars defensive tackles could look a lot different in 2019. High-priced veterans could be jettisoned or asked to restructure their contracts to mke more run under the salary cap to sign other areas of need.
The “X-factor” may be the contact of Marcell Dareus, who is a needed component against the run in defensive coordinator Todd Wash’s scheme. Dareus, who came over from Buffalo during the Jaguars bye week in 2017, is a beast when healthy. His cap figure, however, is a cause for concern.
The 28-year-old is set to make $10.585 million this coming season, which is one of the highest salaries on the roster. Restructuring his deal should be one of the Jaguars first things addressed before free agency begins March. 13.
More from Jacksonville Jaguars News
- Jacksonville Jaguars should welcome Derrick Henry into the kingdom
- Jaguars Rumors: Trent Baalke seems to be getting respect now
- Jaguars News: This division rival might be making a big move
- Former Jacksonville Jaguars S Johnathan Cyprien: “New Profession, Same Standards”
- Jacksonville Jaguars TE Evan Engram officially gets the franchise tag: 3 takeaways
He and Abry Jones were crucial to the team’s improved run defense the second half of the 2018 season.
Jones is an underrated veteran on the defensive line, someone who does not get the credit for his play in the trenches and his leadership on the field. He should start again this season, replacing Malik Jackson, who said himself prior to the end of 2018 he did not expect to be back in 2019.
Jackson, who made the Pro Bowl in 2018, took a major step back in his play this past season. He lost his starting spot to Jones and playing time to rookie Taven Bryan, who also figures to get more playing time on the inside of the line. The Jaguars drafted Bryan with the thought he could play as a big end and outside pass rusher.
"“No one sees the 2017 Pro Bowl selection returning with a $17 million cap figure after a poor performance in 2018,” writes Brian Sexton of Jaguars.com. “One of the reasons selecting Bryan in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft made so much sense was the idea that someone from the 2017 defensive line crew wouldn’t return.”"
Bryan’s progress his first season in the league only improved once he saw more time next to Dareus on obvious running plays. Both Eli Ankou and Michael Hughes are listed as tackles on the team’s roster, but neither made enough of a contribution to be expected to do much next season.
Next. Five destinations for Jaguars QB Blake Bortles. dark
This is a position, if both Daeus and Jackson are released, could be addressed in free agency or the NFL Draft. I would be shocked of the franchsie used a high draft pick this April to address this as a major need.