5 biggest underachievers for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2022

4. Jacksonville Jaguars underachiever in 2022: K’Lavon Chaisson, OLB

The Jaguars selected outside linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson in the 2020 NFL Draft in hopes of bolstering their pass rush. However, the former LSU Tiger didn’t do much of note in his rookie campaign. While he posted 21 total pressures in the last seven games of the season, he only mustered one sack and 19 total tackles even though he suited up for every game.

Things weren’t much different for Chaisson in 2021. The coaching staff thought he would benefit by switching to strong linebacker, where he would line up in a two-point stance. But once again, he logged just one sack and failed to make an impact. In fact, he reportedly garnered the interest of the Minnesota Vikings before the trade deadline but the Jags ultimately opted to keep him.

After Jacksonville drafted Travon Walker first overall last year, Chaisson knew he was under pressure to perform. He said a fire was lit but once again was a non-factor throughout most of the 2022 season. He was placed on the Injured Reserve with a meniscus injury and once again finished the year with just one year.

Leaving aside Chaisson’s sack totals over the last three years, he has failed to live up to his first-round status. He did have a solid outing against the Houston Texans in Week 17 but the Jaguars surely expected more from the player known as Swiper in Year 3.

Working in Chaisson’s favor is that he’ll play in the same scheme for the second year in a row for the first time in his NFL career. Maybe he can develop more consistency and carve a niche as a pass rush specialist in defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell’s system.

The Jags have until May 1 to decide whether they will pick up Chaisson’s fifth-year option in his rookie deal. If they don’t, he’ll be entering a contract year, which might end up giving him the motivation he needs to turn the corner.