Ranking Jaguars defensive position groups ahead of 2021 NFL Draft

The Jacksonville Jaguars’ linebacker corp is a strength.

While the Jaguars focused on rebuilding most defensive position groups this offseason, they didn’t make any additions to their linebacker corps until they signed Damien Williams and that was in the second wave of free agency. Then again, the team didn’t have to make major changes to the group, as they have a pair of studs in Joe Schobert and Myles Jack.

Last offseason, the Jaguars were mostly quiet in free agency but gave Schobert a five-year $53.7 million deal. In retrospect, it was a good signing, as the former Cleveland Browns linebacker started all 16 games last season and posted 141 total tackles, 2.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and three interceptions, one returned for a touchdown.

On the other hand, Jack has been a staple of the Jaguars defense since he was drafted in 2016. Although he missed two games in 2020, he logged 118 total tackles, one sack, one interception, and one forced fumble. Furthermore, he made Pro Football Focus midseason Second-Team All-Pro. Then, there’s Wilson, who started 29 games for the Kansas City Chiefs in the last two years.

After signing Wilson in free agency, it’s unlikely the Jaguars will use an early-round pick on a linebacker, and they don’t really have to, as the position currently looks like a strength. Of course, they need to add depth in the draft and can target someone like Monty Rice, Jamin Davis, or even Jabril Cox (if he’s available) in the middle of the draft.