5 Jacksonville Jaguars to watch in their first preseason game

Jacksonville Jaguars player to watch No. 3 – OLB K’Lavon Chaisson

Jaguars defensive coordinator Joe Cullen has been installing a hybrid defense this offseason. One of the players that will benefit from it will be second-year EDGE rusher K’Lavon Chaisson. The 20th overall pick in last year’s draft struggled early in the 2020 season but finished strong, posting 21 pressures over the last eight games. Having to adjust to playing with his hand on the ground surely affected his performance.

Chaisson will now be rushing the passer from a two-point stance. He’s had good and not-so-good moments in training camp. The preseason could help him find work out the kinks and find some consistency. The former Tiger recently spoke to the local media and touched on several topics, including the return to the position he played at LSU.

"So I love it, don’t get me wrong, but I feel like just as a pro athlete, you got to make the best of whatever situation you put in you know like changes can be made regardless of where you at, you know like, thank God I’m in this position now. But just something that wherever hand I’m dealt with, I got to make the best out of. I was that adjustment been so far. A lot of different things."

Last season, the Jaguars registered a paltry 18 sacks. Cullen thinks they shouldn’t have trouble doubling that amount in 2021. For that to happen, Chaisson will have to have a breakout year. He needs to show the ability to consistently apply pressure up front.