Jaguars DE K’Lavon Chaisson sharpening his pass rush skills

The Jacksonville Jaguars used the 20th overall pick of last year’s draft on defensive end K’Lavon Chaisson. If you watched the former Tiger play early in the season, you might’ve wondered what the Jags were thinking when they selected him, as he hardly had an impact on the field. Nevertheless, he showed significant improvement over the last eight games of the year and is currently working on sharpening his skills.

Chaisson was offered an invitation to attend Von Miller’s annual pass-rushing summit. The Denver Broncos outside linebacker, along with former All-Pro EDGE Demarcus Ware teach young players a few pash rush tricks in the clinic. Maxx Crosby, Salomon Thomas, and Malik Reed also partook in the event. Last year, the summit was held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic but this year, it returned to its normal format and took place in Las Vegas.

Miller, the second overall pick in 2011, has been one of the best EDGE defenders in the NFL for a while, so anything Chaisson can learn at the summit will be valuable. The Texas A&M product missed the 2020 season with an ankle injury. Although his future in Denver was uncertain, the Broncos exercised the $7 million guaranteed in his contract earlier this year, ensuring he stays in 2021.

The Jacksonville Jaguars will need K’Lavon Chaisson in 2021.

Chaisson struggled early in the 2020 season but finished strong, registering 21 pressures in the last seven weeks. The Jags signed Roy Robertson-Harris and Jihad Ward this offseason. They also brought back Adam Gotsis and Dawuane Smooth. Nevertheless, the LSU product will have to have a breakout year if the Jaguars want to generate pressure up front.

Defensive coordinator Joe Cullen will use 3-4 and 4-3 alignments, which means Chaisson will sometimes rush the quarterback with his hand on the ground and he will be standing up. This scheme will benefit the sophomore EDGE defender. Chaisson registered just one sack in 2020 but it wouldn’t be shocking to see him log seven or eight this season if he keeps trending up the way he did at the end of the season.

The Jaguars’ defensive front recently ranked among the worst in the NFL. That could change in 2021. If third-year defensive end Josh Allen is fully healthy and Chaisson fulfills his potential this upcoming season, the Jaguars will have a solid pass-rush duo.