Jacksonville Jaguars: Final 53-man roster prediction

How will the Jacksonville Jaguars defense look in 2021?

Defensive coordinator Joe Cullen has been installing a hybrid defense that will have 3-4 and 4-3 looks. The coaching staff believed Damien Wilson was a better fit for the new scheme than Joe Schobert. That’s why the latter was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Here’s how the Jags defense could look in the regular season:

Defensive tackles (4) Malcom Brown, DaVon Hamilton, Doug Costin and Jay Tufele

DaVon Hamilton picked up where he left off before he suffering a season-ending knee injury last season. He will probably start next to Malcom Brown when the team runs 4-3 sets. Taven Bryan is the odd man out. He missed most of training camp and the Jaguars’ first preseason game. Simply, he’s run out of time in Jacksonville to live up to his draft billing.

Defensive ends/EDGE rushers (6): Jihad Ward, Josh Allen, Roy Robertson-Harris, Jordan Smith, K’Lavon Chaisson, Dawuane Smoot

The Jaguars will ask their EDGE rushers to rush the pass from a two-point stance at times and others with their hand on the ground.

Linebackers (4): Myles Jack, Damien Wilson, Shaquille Quarterman, Chapelle Russell

With Joe Schobert out of the picture, Chappelle Russell’s path to making the team because more feasible. He logged a team-high two passes defensed in Week 2 of the preseason. Another solid performance in Week 3 might help him secure a roster spot.

Cornerbacks (5): Shaquill Griffin, C.J. Henderson, Tre Herndon, Sidney Jones, Tyson Campbell

After missing a good chunk of training camp, C.J. Henderson has caught up with the team and could start opposite Shaquill Griffin in the season opener. Rookie Tyson Campbell may not be ready yet. He’s allowed touchdowns in back-to-back preseason games.

Safeties (5) Andre Cisco, Rayshawn Jenkins, Daniel Thomas, Rudy Ford, Jarrod Wilson

Josh Jones has seen plenty of time with the Jaguars’ first-team defense. However, it makes more sense to keep someone like Daniel Thomas, who probably has a higher upside.

Special teams (3): Josh Lambo (kicker), Logan Cooke (punter), Ross Matiscik (long snapper)

No surprises on special teams for the Jaguars.