Analyst predicts ex-Jaguars draft disappointment will avoid bust label with Panthers

The Jacksonville Jaguars drafted K'Lavon Chaisson 20th overall in 2020 thinking he could become a dominant pass rusher. He didn't, and they moved on from him earlier this year. The former LSU Tiger quickly latched onto the Carolina Panthers in free agency, signing a one-year, prove-it deal. Nick Villano of Fansided thinks he'll make the most of his chance and avoid the dreaded must moniker next season.

Villano put together a list of underwhelming players who'll have a breakout campaign in 2024. He included Chaisson, noting that he's got the tools to put it all together and will benefit from a fresh start in Carolina.

"If Chaisson can’t make the Panthers roster, even with all of their signings this offseason, he has to seriously consider his line of work. He’s always been given opportunities because of his massive size and speed combination. That’s the sole reason he was the 20th overall pick. This is a player who received a scholarship to LSU, one of the premier football schools in the world before he ever played a snap of varsity ball."

A first-round pick in 2020, Chaisson was expected to be part of the Jaguars' pass rush rotation in his rookie season. However, he was pressed into a bigger role when the team's brass traded Calais Campbell and Yannick Ngakoue. The fact that the former Texas native was making the switch from standup linebacker to a three-point stance didn't help matters.

Chaisson struggled early as a rookie but finished 2020 on a strong note, registering 21 total pressures in the last seven games. However, his success didn't carry into his sophomore campaign despite the fact that there was a new regime in place and he got a clean slate. By the midpoint of 2021, he was the subject of trade chatter.

The Jags ultimately kept Chaisson in 2021 but the writing was already on the wall. Things didn't get much better when head coach Doug Pederson arrived the following year. The young pass rusher once again got a fresh start but wasn't able to do much, registering a measly one sack in 2022.

Despite his minimal production, Chaisson became the No. 3 behind Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen in 2023. That was mostly due because Jacksonville didn't have anyone else. Once again, the former LSU Tiger was unremarkable, logging two sacks.

Free agency came and the front office didn't make an effort to re-sign him. That's when he signed a $2.5 million deal with the Panthers.

The bar is low for former Jaguars OLB K'Lavon Chaisson

Nobody will deny that K'Lavon Chaisson has the athletic tools to develop into a steady contributor. However, there's a point where you expect a player to turn that talent into production. The Jacksonville Jaguars waited four years and he wasn't able to do it.

In his defense, players' availability coming out of college is always variable. Some need more time than others to put it all together. Maybe Chaisson will benefit from the fresh start the Panthers granted him but they probably shouldn't hold their hopes too high. His career best for sacks in a season is two. That won't be a difficult bar to clear. Then again, Carolina is tempering expectations. That's reflected in the modest contract they gave him.

Even if K'Lavon Chaisson ultimately flames out in Carolina, he'll continue to get opportunities by virtue of being a former first-round pick. Perhaps he'll hit his stride with the Panthers. Maybe he won't. The Jacksonville Jaguars certainly tried to make it work out but their patience ran out.

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