Jaguars OLB K’Lavon Chaisson close to getting dubious distinction

Most of the players the Jacksonville Jaguars have selected in the first round of the NFL Draft dating back to 2010 have flopped in the pros and outside linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson could soon be on the same path. So far, he’s been underwhelming and time is running for him to show he’s the difference-maker the organization thought they were getting when they made him the 20th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report recently highlighted a group of young NFL players that are dangerously close to bust status entering the 2022 season and Chaisson popped up in the list. Ballentine sees the former LSU Tiger as a massive disappointment and highlights his lack of production over the last two seasons even though he’s been mostly healthy.

"Through two seasons, none of those factors have led to results on the field. Chaisson has remained relatively healthy, appearing in 31 games over the last two seasons, but has just two sacks to show for it. With Josh Allen producing on the outside, it isn’t as though Chaisson sees extra attention from offensive lines. Like many on this list, Chaisson’s best hope of rebounding from his slow start is to find his way with a new coaching staff. He’s set to play for his third defensive coordinator in three years, with Mike Caldwell coming from Tampa Bay to fill the role under Doug Pederson."

Over the last two years, Chaisson has participated in 31 games with 11 starts and has logged 50 total tackles, six tackles for a loss, and two sacks. While those numbers aren’t necessarily bad, they don’t scream difference-maker, and the Jaguars’ brass surely expected more from ‘Swiper‘ when they invested a first-round pick on him. While he shouldn’t get the “bust label” just yet, time is running out for him to show he should be part of the Jaguars’ long-term plans. Maybe he can flourish under the tutelage of defensive coordinator Mike Cadwell, as Ballentine suggested, but the returns haven’t been great so far.

Jaguars OLB K’Lavon Chaisson is running out of time to show his worth.

The Jaguars surely put an immense amount of time into researching Chaisson and when they chose him, they probably envisioned a pass rusher that would help outside linebacker Josh Allen terrorize opposing quarterbacks. However, things haven’t turned out that way, and Jacksonville needs to get pass-rush help this offseason.

Had Chaisson shown more progress over the last two seasons, the Jags could focus on addressing other needs, and betting him to have a breakout season in 2022 without reinforcing the front seven could be a recipe for disaster.

In Chaisson’s defense, he’s been in a less-than-optimal situation. This will be the third year in a row the organization changes coaching staffs and that kind of turnover will hinder most players’ development. After playing defensive end in his rookie campaign, he moved to outside linebacker last year but the switch didn’t make much of a difference.

Under Caldwell, Chaisson will get yet another chance to live up to his draft billing. Maybe he will, maybe he won’t but the Jaguars will soon have an answer.