At first sight, signing linebacker Derrick Gardeck doesn't look particularly enticing. After all, he mostly contributed on special teams during his seven seasons with the Arizona Cardinals. On the other hand, the Sioux Falls product was a dependable contributor once he got playing time on defense. On top of that, he'll probably switch to defensive end with the Jacksonville Jaguars after rushing the passer from a standup position in the desert. When you put it all together, it's easy to see why head coach Liam Coen is thrilled about his addition.
Coen met with the local media after Day 10 of Organized Team Activites and talked about Gardeck, pointing out that there are different ways he could contribute.
"The ton of respect for the player competing against him two times a year in LA, you know, since 2018, and he was, every time we would go play the Arizona Cardinals, he was on the game wrecker board," Coen responded when asked what Gardeck brings to the Jags. "So we would always kind of introduced the game wreckers to the players, and he was on there, whether it was for original for special teams, and then also for rushing the passer and creating some disruption."
Coen continued, "So it just gives us somebody a little bit different kind of style, rusher, special teams, demon. He was a captain in Arizona on special teams. He had three sacks in a game last year. Not sure how many people did that this past season, but he did and had an interception in the following game. So you're just looking at continuing to find guys that can disrupt the game in a specific way, whether it's in the PPR or on special teams."
An undrafted free agent in 2019, Gardeck signed with the Cards. He was mostly relegated to special teams early in his career but saw an uptick in playing time as an outside linebacker the past two years, registering nine sacks the past two years.
If the Jags try Gardeck in a two-point stance, he'll join a rotation that includes Travon Walker, Josh Hines-Allen, Emmanuel Ogbah, Dawuane Smoot, and sophomore Myles Cole. While three spots are virtually locked for Walker, Hines-Allen, and Ogbah, Gardeck will probably need to compete with Smoot and Cole. There's also the possibility that he'll play linebacker, but the one edge he has is his ability to play special teams.
The one thing potentially holding Gardeck back is that he's coming off his second ACL injury (he suffered one in 2020), so he'll need to prove he can stay healthy. Either way, he's got the kind of resume that makes you think he could ultimately make the cut.
Dennis Gardeck gives the Jaguars an option aside Dawuane Smoot and Myles Cole
Players at the bottom of the depth chart must contribute on special teams if they want to stick around, and that gives Dennis Gardeck a realistic shot to earn a roster spot with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2025. In fact, signing him doesn't bode well for Dawuane Smoot and Myles Cole if he does play with his hand on the ground.
Smoot, a third-round pick in 2017, was a mainstay of the Jacksonville defensive line before he suffered a torn Achilles in 2022. He wasn't the same the following year and bolted for the Buffalo Bills in 2024. He's back with the Jags, but like Gardeck, he dealt with injuries last season.
On the other hand, Myles Cole has intriguing physical traits that made him an intriguing developmental draft prospect but was raw coming out of Texas Tech. He will need to show progress if he wants to have a chance of sticking around.
Ultimately, signing Dennis Gardeck is the kind of move that adds competition and will increase the roster floor regardless of who comes out on top.