5 Jaguars who need more playing time for the remainder of 2021

Jaguars player who should play more in 2021 No. 5 – Taven Bryan

Before the start of the season, suggesting defensive tackle Taven Bryan deserved more playing time would have been baffling and would have earned you a blank stare. But here we are and the 29th overall pick of the 2018 draft earned himself a deeper look after his outstanding performance against the Bills in Week 9.

In case you missed it, Bryan wreaked havoc at the line of scrimmage and played like the former first-round pick that he is. Heading into the game, he had 3.5 career sacks. Against Buffalo, he had two. Moreover, his play inside helped the Jaguars’ defensive front set the edge and pressure quarterback Josh Allen all game long.

This is more surprising when you consider Bryan was made inactive in Week 6 and had gotten a minimal amount of snaps most of the season. It’s possible that his lack of playing time in 2021 was a wake-up call. Maybe his two-sack performance was a one-time deal but the Jaguars need to find out in the following weeks, as the defensive tackle is set to become a free agent next offseason.

After the Bills game, Josh Allen described Bryan as a talented player. Urban Meyer also said the team liked him even though they declined to exercise the fifth-year option in his rookie deal. This was going to be a prove-it year for the defensive tackle. It took him a while but he showed what he can do at last. Now, the Jags need to know if he can do it consistently.