The Jacksonville Jaguars need help at the defensive end position.
When the Jacksonville Jaguars traded defensive Calais Campbell to the Baltimore Ravens and then defensive end Yannick Ngakoue earlier this year, many eyebrows were raised. If you gave the organization the benefit of the doubt and didn’t jump to quick conclusions, you did the right thing.
After all, the ‘Jags’ drafted K’Lavon Chaisson with the 20th overall pick in 2020’s draft to bolster their defensive group and Josh Allen was going to take the next step of his development in his sophomore campaign.
Nevertheless, Chaisson has been a non-factor, Allen has been dealing with injuries this season, and the Jaguars front four is struggling to put pressure upfront and rank dead last in the league with a mere nine sacks.
In the Jaguars’ defense, they didn’t use a draft pick on the LSU standout thinking he wouldn’t pan out. Also, they can’t control injuries and didn’t foresee their Pro Bowl defensive end getting injured.
While the offseason is still weeks away, there’s nothing the team’s brass can’t do right now. There aren’t any impact players in the free-agent market, and the trade deadline was weeks ago. The real changes the need to make will come in free agency and 2021’s draft.
The Jaguars could sign one or two free-agents, but they also need to replenish the defensive end position via draft. They currently hold two selections, one of them will probably be the second overall pick and the other one is projected to be the 22nd. If the squad opts to use their second first-round selection to pick a defensive end, they should consider these options.
The Jacksonville Jaguars will have plenty of choices in 2021’s draft.
If the Jaguars draft a quarterback with their first first-round selection, they can select a defensive end with the second one. Quincy Roche is an explosive prospect that knows how to use his hands well. He transferred from Temple to Miami this year and has already gotten an invite to the Reese’s Senior Bowl.
This season, he’s recorded 35 total tackles, 11 for a loss, 2.5 sacks, and 26 quarterback pressures. While he doesn’t always give 100 percent, he’s displayed good vision and explosives to make plays at the line of scrimmage.
Aidan Hutchinson is currently out after undergoing leg surgery. Before fracturing his leg, he displayed good body control and played all over the line of scrimmage. He needs to work on his pass rush moves and learn how to use his hands, but the junior has a high motor and showed big-time effort every time he played.
Hutchinson only played in two games this season and registered 13 total tackles. However, amassed 69 total tackles, 10 for a loss, 3.5 sacks, six pass deflections, and three forced fumbles. Chris Hutchinson, Aidan’s father, says he expects his son to make a full recovery and be 100 percent in four months if everything goes smoothly.
Either player could bolster the Jacksonville Jaguars defensive line.
Patrick Jones II has registered 32 total tackles, 10.5 of those for loss, eight sacks, and one fumble return in his second season as a starter. Last year as a junior, the defensive end had 41 total tackles, 11.5 for a loss, 8.5 sacks, and four forced fumbles.
Jones is explosive and quick off the ball. He needs to learn to use his length better and add some pass rush moves to his arsenal, but overall, he has plenty of upside and deserves a close look. He will likely be available the Jaguars are on the clock with the 22nd pick.
Another Michigan defensive end, Kwity Paye has been out the last few weeks with an undisclosed illness. Nevertheless, he dominated in the three games he dressed up for in 2020. The 6’4″ standout racked up 25 pressures, 12 total tackles, four for loss, and two sacks. In 12 games last year, he recorded 6.5 sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss.
Paye excels against the run and has the built to take on double teams in pass-rushing situations. While he might not be there for the Jaguars at number 22, the senior defender offers a pretty diverse skill set the team should consider if he’s available.