Calais Campbell, other players who could follow Ryan Nielsen to Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jacksonville Jaguars have found their new defensive coordinator after a two-week search. Adam Schefter of ESPN reported early Monday that the Jags had hired Ryan Nielsen as their defensive coordinator after interviewing with him last week. In the evening, the organization announced the hiring.

Nielsen was one of the first candidates Jacksonville had set their sights on. However, the Atlanta Falcons blocked the interview because he was still under contract and the meeting was for the same position. Eventually, the Falcons granted permission to the Jaguars and they wasted no time arranging a meeting and dinner with him.

While the Atlanta Falcons went 7-10 last year, the defense fared well in comparison to the rest of the team. Although they ranked 18th in points allowed, they were third in the league on third-down defense. Similarly, they were seventh in yards per play surrendered and eighth in pass defense.

In Jacksonville, Nielsen will have ample talent to work with, but if he wants to bring any of his former players, these three Falcons pending free agents could join the Jaguars in the offseason.

3. Jeff Okudah, cornerback

The Jaguars don't have an immediate need at cornerback with Darious Williams and Tyson Campell set to hold both starting spots in 2024. That said, they could use some depth at the position, with Tre Herndon slated to hit the open market. While Jacksonville has Gregory Junior and Montaric Brown in the fold, they could use a vested veteran at the position. That's where Jeff Okudah comes in.

Okudah, the third-overall pick in the 2020 draft, battled with injuries and inconsistency during his three-year stint with the Detroit Lions. But despite getting a second chance when Dan Campbell became the head coach in 2021, he was traded to the Atlanta Falcons last year. Ultimately, things worked out for the former Ohio State Buckeye.

Even though Okudah was yet to live up to expectations, he managed to stay healthy in Atlanta, which in turn helped him build some confidence and consistency. The former first-round pick has mostly lined up in the boundaries throughout his career, so he wouldn't be a replacement for Herndon, the team's top nickel in 2023. Instead, he could provide depth behind Campbell and Williams.

2. Calais Campbell, defensive end

If you're a fan of the Jaguars, Calais Campbell needs no introduction. You know him, his accomplishments, and everything he did for the community during his time in Jacksonville. But in case it bears repeating, he was their last All-Pro designation, along with cornerback Jalen Ramsey, before Ross Matiscik got the nod earlier this month.

Campbell also held the record for the most sacks in a season with 14.5 before Josh Allen broke it in 2023. Last but not least, he won the Walter Payton Man of the Year award for his outstanding service to his community. The bottom line is that the Mayor means a lot to the city of Jacksonville even though he last played for the Jaguars in 2020.

Looking back, trading Campbell to the Baltimore Ravens for a fifth-round pick was a puzzling decision. But after a productive three-year stint with the Ravens, the former Miami Hurricane became a free agent last offseason. While the Jags showed interest in setting a reunion — they went as far as to host him for a visit — he opted to sign a one-year with the Falcons, where he went on to log 6.5 sacks, 56 total tackles, and more importantly, play all 17 games.

Now, Campbell is no longer the player who wreak havoc during his prime but there's value in bringing him back for a second stint. Not only would he be a solid rotational piece on the Jaguars' defensive front but he could also set the tone up with his leadership. Without a doubt, the Jaguars could benefit from bringing back for a second stint.

1. Bud Dupree, edge rusher

Calais Campbell isn't the only pass rusher who could follow Ryan Nielsen to the Jaguars. There's also Bud Dupree, who spent a season in Atlanta after a two-year stint with the Tennessee Titans. A first-round pick in 2015, Dupree began his playing career with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

After posting a combined 19.5 sacks in his last two seasons in Pittsburgh, he signed a five-year deal worth $85 million with Tennesse in 2021. Former NFL general manager Mike Tannenbaum thought at the time that Dupree was one of the best players available in free agency that year. However, he suffered an ACL injury in 2021 that limited his impact and he wasn't particularly productive the following year, registering just three sacks. Thus, he inked a modest $3 million contract with the Falcons last offseason.

More than a year removed from the ACL injury and under Nielsen's tutelage, Dupree had a bounce-back season in 2023. Besides suiting up for 16 games, the most he had since 2019, he registered 6.5 sacks and a healthy 38 total pressures. It's fair to assume that he could keep trending up if he continues to play for Nielsen.

Given the Jaguars' need for a No. 3 pass rusher behind Travon Walker and Josh Allen, signing Dupree would make sense. While he's in a position to ask for a better contract than the one he got last year, the Jaguars wouldn't probably have to break the bank to sign him. Something around the $5 million-$7 million mark might do the trick, and it would ensure Nielsen has a familiar face to run his scheme in Jacksonville.

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