5 worst moves Jaguars’ GM Trent Baalke has made in Jacksonville

Jaguars GM Trent Baalke’s big mistake No. 2 – Drafting K’Lavon Chaisson.

The Jaguars knew K’Lavon Chaisson was a bit raw when they made him the 20th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft and that’s fine. Sometimes you have to project how a prospect is going to perform at the NFL but it didn’t pay off this time, at least not yet. Last year, analyst Lance Zierleinof NFL Media described the former LSU product as an impact pass-rusher with Pro Bowl potential before last year’s selection meeting, so the Jags weren’t alone on this one.

Chaisson was off to a slow start in his rookie campaign, posting just eight pressures and one sack in the first eight games of the season. But he then caught a bit of fire and logged 21 pressures in the second half. However, the momentum didn’t carry over into 2021 and he hasn’t fared much better than he did last year. He already has more total tackles than last year but hasn’t been responsible for many big play, which is what you expect from a former first-round selection.

The coaching staff switched Chaisson from defensive end to outside linebacker during the offseason, hoping he could make plays from a three-point stance but the Jags are still waiting. The fact that the front office could have drafted Pro Bowl wide receiver Justin Jefferson, safety Kyle Dugger or darkhorse MVP running bac Jonathan Taylor makes Chaisson’s pick look even worse.

Time is running out for Chaisson to make an impact in the NFL. Maybe he does end up figuring things out but there haven’t been many signs during his first two seasons that he will. Sure, Baalke wasn’t the general manager — Dave Caldwell was — but he was still part of the front office that drafted Swiper and he doesn’t get a pass.