2 Jacksonville Jaguars’ rookie defenders showed flashes in Week 14’s loss
The Jacksonville Jaguars’ defensive rookie class showed up in Week 14.
The Jacksonville Jaguars‘ 31-10 loss to the Tennessee Titans highlighted how inefficient their defense is. They allowed running back Derrick Henry to steamroll them on his way to 215 yards and two touchdowns. Looking back, the unit did a bad job as a whole, but there were some positives at an individual level.
Rookie K’Lavon Chaisson had his best game of the season according to Pro Football Focus. The advance statistics website credited the LSU product with three pressures, including two quarterback hits, on only 11 pash-rush snaps.
Chaisson has been relegated to a complementary role after struggling to generate pressure upfront early in the season, but he’s been playing better in recent weeks. If he finishes the season strong, which is a possibility, he could make it back to the starting lineup the following year.
On the other hand, Chaisson isn’t the only rookie that has had success in recent weeks. Doug Costin has become a key cog in the Jaguars defensive line since he joined the starting lineup in Week 7.
Costin missed one game due to a concussion but he has made 22 total tackles and defensed two passes in the last six games he’s played in. Moreover, the former RedHawks defensive tackle is PFF’s third-highest rookie defender in 2020. Only Washington Football defensive end Chase Young and Atlanta Falcons linebacker have a better grade than Costin’s 73.1.
The Jacksonville Jaguars still need to add talent.
Even though it’s encouraging to see Costin and Chaisson grow, this Jacksonville team needs more out of their rookies and the defense. After all, the unit allowed 31 points in Week 14 and didn’t have an answer for the Titans running game.
It may be too late to see a drastic uptick on defense, but there Jaguars will enter the offseason with some promising defensive talent. Defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton, cornerback C.J. Henderson and safety Daniel Thomas all should be healthy in 2021.
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The team will also have 11 draft selections and $77.61 million in cap space, per Over the Cap. Even though they are struggling right now, the Jaguars will have the resources and some pieces in place to give their defense a facelift in 2021.