Apart from defensive tackle, the Jacksonville Jaguars may have no bigger question mark than the pass rush right now. More specifically, they need a No. 3 behind Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen. This is why the Jags have been urged to add a veteran pass-rusher dating back to the early stages of the offseason. However, they have steered clear of bringing in external additions. And that's because the team's brass is confident one of their young players is going to step up.
Based on how things are unfolding, Jacksonville may be onto something. Second-year defensive end B.J. Green II is making noise and is positioning himself to round out the pass rush. Having said that, he's not the only player making a strong bid for the role.
Zach Durfee could make an impact for the Jaguars next season
Dubbed Prospect X because he didn't get nearly as much attention as he deserved during the draft process, Zach Durfee went to the Jaguars in Round 7. His slide mostly stemmed from the fact that he dealt with injuries throughout his time at Washington. Coupled with ineligibility issues in 2023 due to the transfer portal, it's easy to see why the Dawson, Minnesota native was available on Day 3.
That said, Durfee was dominant whenever he suited up. He posted four sacks on 23 snaps in his first ever at Sioux Falls and finished the 2022 season with 11 sacks.
Durfee transferred to Washington in 2023 but had to sit out the season. He ended up suiting up for 17 games with the Huskies. Although injuries hindered him, he was so dominant that coach Jedd Fisch said he would've been a Day 1 prospect if he had stayed healthy.
Now in Jacksonville, Durfee is back at full strength. He will have an uphill battle to earn snaps next season but most definitely has a chance. Already, the rookie pass rusher is turning heads in training camp, with John Shipley of Sports Illustrated noting that he's routinely making plays on team drills and giving opposing offensive linemen fits.
With Zach Durfee ascending, the Jaguars may not need to bring in a veteran pass rusher
Slowly, the pass rush market has dried up. Cameron Jordan, AJ Epenesa, Von Miller, and Jadeveon Clowney were still available after the 2026 NFL Draft. With the exception of Miller, all of them have found teams, meaning that the Jaguars have fewer options in case they did want to sign a veteran. Then again, they probably don't have to.
B.J. Green II has most definitely made strides, and nobody would bat an eye if he ends up seizing the No. 3 job. On the other hand, rookie Zach Durfee is showing enough progress to make you think that he could earn a role in the rotation. When you add rookie Wesley Williams and sophomore Danny Striggow to the equation, Jacksonville may not be in need of reinforcements at defensive end.
Sure, the Jaguars don't have an All-Pro group of pass rushers, but they most definitely have enough pieces to wreak havoc in the trenches next season, and the best part is that they didn't have to make a big investment. Looking back, maybe general manager James Gladstone didn't deserve as much flak as he got during the offseason for not taking a big swing.
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