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Scouting the AFC North: 3 Ravens FAs Jacksonville Jaguars should target

By Carlos Sanchez

BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 08: Head Coach John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens looks on from the sidelines during the first half of a preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at M&T Bank Stadium on August 8, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Todd Olszewski/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 08: Head Coach John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens looks on from the sidelines during the first half of a preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at M&T Bank Stadium on August 8, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Todd Olszewski/Getty Images) /
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Jacksonville Jaguars
Jihad Ward #53 (Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports) /

26. . Defensive end. Baltimore Ravens. Jihad Ward. 3. player

The Jacksonville Jaguars need to add depth to their defensive line.

The Jaguars’ front four should be in better shape in 2021. Defensive end Josh Allen made the Pro Bowl in 2019 as a rookie but he nursed a knee injury and was limited to eight games last season. On the other hand, rookie K’Lavon Chaisson played significantly better as the season went on.

However, the ‘Jags’ still need to add a few playmakers to their defensive line this offseason. While they could take someone like Wake Forest defensive end Carlos Basham Jr. early in 2021’s draft, they should also add a couple of players in free agency.

Defensive end Jihad Ward is set to hit the open market and there are no indications the Ravens will keep him. Originally a second-round pick by the Las Vegas Raiders in 2016, the Illinois product didn’t do much of note early in his NFL career but has carved a niche in Baltimore’s defense.

Last season, Ward played on 26 percent of the team’s total snaps on defense and dressed up for 10 games. As part of the Ravens defensive line rotation, he logged 16 combined tackles (four for a loss), three sacks, and two passes defensed. It shouldn’t cost too much to sign him and he could become a rotational player in Jacksonville.

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