Former Jaguars disappointment is higher on himself than most

The Jacksonville Jaguars drafted K'Lavon Chaisson 20th overall in 2020 because they thought he could be a dominant pass rusher in the NFL. Unfortunately, he didn't become the player they expected, and after four years of waiting, the Jags pulled the plug on him. Chaisson is now a member of the Carolina Panthers and believes they have a player with the tools to be elite.

After hitting the open market, Chaisson signed a one-year deal with Carolina and believes they're getting the whole package. "They're getting a complete player and they're getting a winner," Chaisson said via KPRC 2 Houston. "That's the most important thing is the W column. I got used to winning in high school and college." Here's more of what the player known as Swiper had to say.

"They’re getting someone who is truly loyal and respects the game, a true rarity. All in all, they’re getting a complete player, a complete person and human that comes with it. I feel like I have every tool it takes to be a great player."

Conspicuously missing in his comments was his success or lack thereof at the NFL level. Chassion was no doubt a winner in college but he was unremarkable during his four-year stint in Jacksonville.

A five-star recruit out of high school Chaisson played college football at LSU. His production didn't pop off the stat sheet but his athletic tools impressed former Jaguars general manager Dave Caldwell enough to use a first-round pick in 2020. Looking back, the Texas native landed in a less-than-favorable situation.

Chaisson was supposed to be part of a rotation but he was pressed into a featured role when the Jaguars traded Calais Campbell and Yannick Ngakoue. Back with the Tigers, he mostly lined up in a standup position but switched to a three-point stance in Jacksonville during his rookie campaign. He got a bit better as the season progressed and even finished strong, posting 21 pressures in the last seven games.

Then, a new regime arrived in 2021 and Chaisson switched back to a two-point stance. Still, it wasn't enough to help him hit his stride. At one point, he was the subject of trade talks. Things didn't change when Doug Pederson arrived the following year. Even though he got a clean slate (again), he was buried on the depth chart.

To nobody's surprise, the team's brass declined Chaisson's fifth-year option but he got one last chance in 2023. Without better options at hand, he was the No. 3 pass rusher behind Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen. While he did register a career-best two sacks, it wasn't enough to justify keeping him around.

Ex Jaguars OLB K'Lavon Chaisson isn't lacking confidence

It's great to see K'Lavon Chaisson have confidence in himself. You won't get very far if you don't. That said, he's not being objective when he says the Panthers are getting a great player. The tools are certainly there but as the saying goes, if you have something and you don't use it, it's the same as not having it.

In his defense, Chaisson landed with a bad Jaguars team in 2020. Furthermore, some players need more time than others to develop. On the other hand, he got several chances in Jacksonville and couldn't take advantage of them.

Chaisson is 24 and could enjoy a career revival in Carolina. It's not a given that it will happen but maybe the Jags weren't a fit and a fresh start is what he needs to put his pass-rushing skills on display.

Having said that, he needs to take one step at a time, and based on how things played out in Jacksonville, Chaisson may not be able to pull it off with his new team.

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