The potential of the Jacksonville Jaguars new pass rush

After seeing Calais Campbell, Yannick Ngakoue and Josh Allen roam the field for the Jacksonville Jaguars last season, the pass rush could be better in 2020.

Coming out of the 2020 NFL Draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars revamped its defense with seven of its 12 picks on that side of the football. The team has now selected pass rushers in the first round in back-to-back seasons with Josh Allen and K’Lavon Chaisson and a defensive lineman in the first round in the last three seasons (Taven Bryan).

Now, the disgruntled Yannick Ngakoue, Allen, and Chaisson will be going after quarterbacks in what can be one of the best pass rushing teams in the league. Despite the loss of Calais Campbell, the Jacksonville Jaguars pass rush has a chance to be just as potent if not more so in 2020.

Since being the Jaguars named as defensive coordinator in 2016, Todd Wash’s unit totaled sack numbers of 47 (2019), 37 (2018), 55 (2017), and 33 (2016). The combined force of the pass-rushing trio, along with other players on the defensive line can make the position group a vital part of the defense. It could even reach the totals of the 2107 unit, which is considered one of the best in the past decade in the NFL and one of the franchise’s all-time best.

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While it is unknown if Ngakoue will play a snap for the Jaguars in 2002, assuming he does, the pass rush will begin with him. Earning 37.5 sacks and 14 forced fumbles in four seasons Ngakoue will be the primary force opposing offensive tackles will attempt to stop first.

On the other side, Josh Allen will continue his development coming off an incredible rookie season with 10.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. If 2019 was a start for Allen, then his continued growth this season is only good for the future of the team.

The biggest wild card for the Jaguars defense is the rookie, Chaisson. Chaisson doesn’t have the collegiate production at LSU to immediately assume that he will be a solid pass rusher for seasons to come, but the physical attributes and talent is there.

He is a physical freak and shows excellent speed off the edge. But he will need to develop more pass rushing skills in order to put it all together. Thankfully, these types of skills can be taught by NFL coaches, while things like speed, character, and physicality cannot.

Chaisson could find himself in multiple positions on the defense, from having his hand in the dirt as a pass rusher to roaming the field and stopping the run as an outside linebacker. A senior season with 60 tackles, 13.5 sacks, and 6.5 sacks shows the versatility he displays.

The Jacksonville Jaguars revamped its defensive line with other moves like signing longtime run stuffer Al Woods and drafting Ohio State defensive tackle Davon Hamilton.

Jacksonville clearly wants to establish its defense at the line of scrimmage, a staple for this team since the days when Malik Jackson, Marcell Dareus, and Campbell were the veteran strength of this unit.

Doing this will help the second and third tiers of the defense, allowing cornerbacks to spend less time in-step with receivers if the quarterback is in trouble.

As the Jacksonville Jaguars enter a new era of football, the development of Allen and Chaisson will be one of the biggest and most fun storylines to watch as the two get older. One can hope that this pass rush will develop into one of the best in all of football.

With three high value defenders, the ceiling is very high for what the pass rushing trio of Ngakoue, Allen, and Chaisson can do for the organization.