3 position groups the Jacksonville Jaguars upgraded through free agency

2. Defensive line

The Jaguars only made a couple additions to the defensive front but both of them will have a huge impact in 2024. The biggest one, without a doubt, was signing defensive tackle Arik Armstead to a three-year, $43.5 million deal. In Jacksonville, Armstead will reunite with general manager Trent Baalke, the man who drafted him 17th overall in 2015.

A mainstay of the San Francisco 49ers defense the past nine years, the former Stanford Cardinal will join a defensive line that was in need of a boost. Although he dealt with foot and knee injuries the past two seasons, he still managed to remain productive. With teams having to contain Armstead, Travon Walker, and Josh Allen should find more favorable matchups on the edges.

Speaking of Allen and Walker, they'll be joined by defensive end Trevis Gipson. A fifth-round pick by the Chicago Bears in 2020, Gipson logged seven sacks in 2021 but took a step back when the Bears switched to a 3-4 defense. Having to play standup linebacker, the former Tulsa standout only managed three sacks in 2022.

Gipson was released before the start of the 2023 season and promptly latched onto the Tennessee Titans. Unfortunately, he wasn't able to get going and was a healthy scratch throughout most of the year.

Now, Gipson has a chance to enjoy a career revival under defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen, who's known for getting the most out of his defensive linemen. If someone can help Gipson bounce back, it's him.