After not making upgrades to the defensive line in free agency, the Jacksonville Jaguars will make it a point of emphasis in the 2025 NFL Draft. General manager James Gladstone said as much, and head coach Liam Coen echoed that sentiment at the 2025 NFL Owners Meeting. Whether the Jags beef up the interior or the edges remains to be seen, but they're most definitely doing due diligence. Just recently, they met with Syracuse pass rusher Fadil Diggs.
Diggs recently told Justin Melo of The Draft Network that he's had several meetings on Zoom, adding that Jacksonville is one of the teams he's talked to.
"I've had a bunch of meeting on Zoom," Diggs told Melo. "I'm meeting with the Giants, Cardinals, Lions, Packers, Saints, and Jaguars. I have a bunch of meetings."
A four-star recruit out of high school, Diggs committed to Texas A&M, where he spent four seasons, and transferred to Syracuse last year. The 2024 Honorable Mention All-ACC has the flexbility to line up in a two-point stance or play defensive end. At 6'047" and 247 pounds, he may need to bulk up to withstand ther rigors of the NFL.
Diggs routinely flashed in college but was also inconsistent. The talent is certainly there, but he has his work cut out. Daniel Harms of The Draft Network gave him a sixth-round grade, pointing out that he'll need to hone his run defense technique and develop a wide pass rush repertoire.
"Diggs is an intriguing blend of linebacker and pass rusher who flashes multiple ways to win from the edge. However, his run defense technique is a work in progress. Learning to use his arms more effectively, disengaging from blocks in the run game, and adding a few tools to his pass rush tool bag will be essential for his development."
The Jaguars made headlines earlier this offseason because they were one of the few teams that hadn't had or announced any top 30 visits. However, they've done plenty of work behind the scenes. Aside from Diggs, they've also met with Oklahoma State cornerback Korie Black.
Other prospects the Jags have talked to ahead of the draft are cornerback Corey Thornton, running back DJ Giddens, and offensive lineman Jacob Mayer dating back to the Senior Bowl.
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How would Fadil Diggs fit the Jaguars?
Making upgrades to the pass rush isn't among their top priorities, but the Jacksonville Jaguars cannot neglect it either. They already have Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen in the fold but need a No. 3 with Arik Armstead switching back to defensive tackle.
It's worth noting that the Jaguars have struggled to round out their pass rotation since they let Arden Key walk in 2023's free agency. They've tried different things but haven't had much success. Having said that, there's a new regime in place, one that will balance the most pressing needs and the ways to bolster as many positions as possible.
Circling back to Fadil Diggs, investing a Day 3 pick in him would make sense, even if Jacksonville already drafted another pass rusher at that point of the draft. They've been linked to former Georgia defensive end Jalon Walker in recent mocks, and nobody would bat an eye if he ends up being the pick at No. 5, given how much his stock has gone up in recent weeks.
Whether the Jags draft Walker or not, that shouldn't deter them from devoting a late-round pick to a developmental pass rusher.