Jaguars draft bust is flourishing with the Raiders after slow career start

When the Jacksonville Jaguars drafted K'Lavon Chaisson in the 2020 draft, they thought they were getting a pass rusher who could form a dynamic tandem opposite Josh Hines-Allen. What they got instead was a player who underachieved and never truly hit his stride. After four underwhelming seasons, the Jags rightly gave up on "Swiper". Looking back that might've been the best for him, as he's gone on to flourish with the Las Vegas Raiders.

Chaisson became a free agent in 2024 after the Jaguars chose not to exercise his fifth-year option one year prior. Fortunately for him, he was able to latch onto the Carolina Panthers. Surprisingly, he was given the boot just a few months later.

Things weren't looking great for Chaisson but the Raiders signed him to their practice squad and later to their active roster. He's gone on to make the most of his opportunity, registering a career-high three sacks, 26 total tackles, and his first-ever career interception.

But even when Chaisson isn't making plays, he's routinely causing disruption at the line of scrimmage.

Head coach Doug Pederson has certainly taken notice of Chaisson's improvement, pointing out that he's made the most of his chance with the Raiders.

"He's playing really well, providing a spark," Pederson told the local media. "With Maxx not there, he'll step up and do even more. It's a great opportunity for him, but you're seeing that on film, and he brings a lot of energy to that defense and has done a nice job with him."

For his part, Chaisson doesn't appear to have any ill will toward the Jaguars, pointing out that he holds his former team in high regard and still talks to some of his former teammates.

"It is a true amount of respect for the guys over there, both the front office and the players, got great friends that I still talk to until this day, phenomenal players that I truly believe in," Chaisson said via John Shipley of Sports Illustrated. "They are not having the season they expected, but with the talent they have over there, things can get turned around quickly."

Parting ways was the best for the Jaguars and K'Lavon Chaisson

K'Lavon Chaisson ended up in a less-than-favorable situation to start his NFL career. Aside from having to get adjusted to rushing the passer from a three-point stance, he was pressed into a featured role when the Jacksonville Jaguars traded Yannick Ngakoue and Calais Campbell. Not surprisingly, the then-rookie was overwhelmed. Things didn't get much better in his sophomore campaign, though.

Despite the fact that Chaisson got a clean slate with Urban Meyer in 2021, he was once again underwhelming, and the Jaguars even considered the possibility of trading him. Once Doug Pederson took over the following year, the edge rusher got another fresh start but was unable to capitalize on it.

Without many options behind Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen in 2023, Jacksonville had to lean on Chaisson again, but he was a non-factor. And after the season was over, the team's brass didn't make an attempt to re-sign him.

Granted, the Jaguars didn't put Chaisson in a position to succeed and arguably mismanaged his development. That said, he must shoulder some of the blame for his lack of impact. After all, players routinely thrive even if things around them are far from great.

In his defense, K'Lavon Chaisson may have just needed a bit of time to hit his stride, and it looks like he finally did it when he joined the Las Vegas Raiders.

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