Jaguars earn praise for signing Arik Armstead despite underwhelming 2024 season

• Arik Armstead left much to be desired in 2024 but still garnered positive reviews.

Jacksonville Jaguars defensive lineman Arik Armstead (91) walks to be interviewed after a combined NFL football training camp session between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Jacksonville Jaguars Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2024 at EverBank Stadium’s Miller Electric Center in Jacksonville, Fla.
Jacksonville Jaguars defensive lineman Arik Armstead (91) walks to be interviewed after a combined NFL football training camp session between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Jacksonville Jaguars Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2024 at EverBank Stadium’s Miller Electric Center in Jacksonville, Fla. | Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Jacksonville Jaguars earned rave reviews for locking up Arik Armstead in free agency last year. At the time, the interior trenches were in need of a boost, and he was expected to bring it. However, the Jags made the puzzling decision to play the veteran defensive lineman out of position, and he didn't have the impact they envisioned. Nevertheless, Dalton Wasserman of Pro Football Focus believes he performed well enough to give him a spot in his list of best signings of 2024.

Wasserman put together a list of the best and worst signings for each NFL team [subscription required] in free agency last year. Regarding Jacksonville, he chose Armstead as its best acquisition. Here's the skinny.

"Armstead’s performance this season was a bit inconsistent, but he still earned a solid 70.0 pass-rush grade that is in line with most of his other seasons. He began to heat up down the stretch, recording multiple pressures in seven of his last eight games."

A first-round pick by the San Francisco 49ers in 2015, Armstead has never made the Pro Bowl but has routinely been one of the top defensive linemen in the league. What makes his success more impressive is that he's played through injuries at times but has still managed to remain effective.

However, the Niners had reservations about Armstead after dealing with injuries in 2023 and asked him to take a pay cut last offseason. It was a steep amount, so he felt disrespected and asked for his release, which was granted to him. Once he became available, the former Oregon signed a three-year deal worth $43.5 million with the Jags.

It's worth noting that Jacksonville may not have signed Armstead if it hadn't lost wide receiver Calvin Ridley to the Tennessee Titans in free agency.

Circling back to Armstead, he was expected to fortify the interior defensive line, but the Jaguars raised eyebrows when they had him line up on the edge. This was a puzzling decision when you take into account that the Sacramento, California native is at his best when he plays defensive tackle. In the end, he finished the season with two sacks, 29 total tackles, and 36 total pressures.

All things considered, those aren't half-bad numbers, but it's fair to wonder how much better they would've been if Armstead had played defensive tackle in 2024. Fortunately...

Arik Armstead will have a bigger impact for the Jaguars in 2025

There's no doubt that Arik Armstead left a bit to be desired in 2024, but he'll switch back to defensive tackle next season. Last year, he wasn't bad on the edge, but he took turns rotating with Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen on the edge. In 2025, the three of them will be on the field at the same time.

Add the fact that rookie Maason Smith showed promise at the end of his rookie season, and the Jaguars' front four has lots of potential. Of course, they'll need a solid rotation, so they'll need to find a No. 3 pass rusher and a defensive tackle who can spell Armstead and Smith.

Jordan Jefferson and DaVon Hamilton are in the mix. Both are solid players, but that shouldn't stop the team's brass from adding reinforcements at the position. After all, this is going to be a stacked defensive tackle class, according to respected draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah.

The bottom line is that there's nowhere to go but up for the Jaguars defensive line. And if the group shows improvement in 2025, it will be in part because Arik Armstead is making his presence felt.

Here are other Jaguars stories you may also like:

Schedule