3 Jaguars veterans who could lose their job to a rookie in 2023
The Jacksonville Jaguars won't have many starting jobs up for grabs in 2023, as the few that were open were quickly filled in the offseason. Most notably, rookie Anton Harrison will replace Jawaan Taylor at right tackle while Walker Little step in at left tackle during Cam Robinson's suspension for violations to the league's PED policy.
Having said that, a handful of backup/reserve roles will be highly coveted and these three veterans run the risk of losing their job to a rookie if they don't show out in training camp.
3. Jaguars veteran who could lose his job to a rookie: K'Lavon Chaisson, OLB
So far, outside linebacker K'Lavon Chaisson is mostly remembered as the player the Jaguars drafted in 2020 with one of the two first-round picks they got when they traded All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey to the Los Angeles Rams the year prior. Although Chaisson has had plenty of opportunities to live up to his draft billing, he hasn't done much of note over the last three seasons.
Granted, Chaisson was pressed into action after the Jags traded defensive ends Calais Campbell and Yannick Ngakoue before the start of the 2020 season. Similarly, he's played in three different systems in as many years and that lack of continuity might have hindered his development.
Having said that, Chaisson has failed to make an impact regardless of the scheme he's in. Whether he rushes the quarterback from a two-point stance or with his hand on the ground, he hasn't been able to consistently apply pressure over the last three seasons. For that reason, nobody batted an eye when the team's brass declined to pick up the fifth-year option on his rookie deal.
While there's always a chance Chaisson will put it all together, he's running out of time in Jacksonville and if he fails to impress in training camp, the coaching staff may give ample reps to rookie outside linebacker Yasir Abdullah, an intriguing talent at outside linebacker.
Even though Abdullah lacks ideal size and must learn to use his hands better, there's a realistic chance he'll pass Chaisson on the depth chart at one point of the 2023 season.