All teams typically need a strong performance out of their defensive line to have success, but that will especially be the case for a young Jacksonville Jaguars roster that isn’t expected to win much. Last season, the group’s performance wasn’t the worst but it certainly wasn’t up to the standard fans witnessed in 2017-18.
Many will have their eyes on the group in 2020 because there was a lot of overturn, with veterans Calais Campbell and Marcell Dareus no longer on the team, making the unit a younger but less experienced one. For that reason, Pro Football Focus’ Sam Monson ranked them 23rd entering the 2020 season.
When looking at the group, Monson did at least admit that the Jags could be good, but stated that the group’s improvement hinges on the development of Taven Bryan and Josh Allen. He also pointed out one of the group’s strength that could help them tremendously.
23. Jacksonville Jaguars
A couple of years ago, the Jacksonville defensive line — a united that adopted the nickname “Sacksonville” — was among the very best in the game. That unit has since been chipped away at, though, and the departure of Calais Campbell this offseason sees the best player from the group leave town.
There is still the chance that this front could be very good, but it relies on improvement from the players drafted to ensure a smooth succession plan. The team spent back-to-back first-round picks on Josh Allen and Taven Bryan, but both have yet to become impact players. […]
This team is unusually well-stocked with run-defending nose tackles, with Abry Jones, Al Woods and rookie Davon Hamilton all on the roster. The talent is there for this defensive front to still be a plus unit, but it is far more of a question mark than it has been in the past couple of seasons. It now relies on the development of the talent the team has earmarked over the past couple of drafts.
These are good points. Starting with what was said about Bryan and Allen, they both are first-round picks who the Jags clearly have high hopes for. Of course, Allen appears to be on his way to stardom after having a phenomenal rookie season where he totaled 10.5 sacks, went to the Pro Bowl, and was in the running for Defensive Rookie of the Year.
As for Bryan, he had a better 2019 season than some realize. While there is still room for significant improvement, Bryan registered the defense’s second-highest grade (75.6), only under D.J. Hayden (76.9). In particular, Bryan flashed during the first half of the season, occasionally making his way to the backfield and disrupting plays.
All of that said, if both take a step in 2020, the Jags defensive line can make quarterbacks uncomfortable and the loss of veterans Calais Campbell and Marcell Dareus would be minimal. They would also be set with a young defensive line pair that could be a part of the team for years to come.
As for the strength the Jags have at nose tackle with Abry Jones, Al Woods, and Davon Hamilton, it’s not surprising. Coach Doug Marrone entered the offseason wanting to improve against the run after the Jags finished 28th in the NFL in the category, surrendering an average of 139.3 yards per game. With that being the case, the team proceeded to get Woods in free agency — a 10-year veteran — and drafted potentially the future at the position in Hamilton in the third-round.
When adding in Jones — the Jags’ longest-tenured veteran —it certainly appears the defense could significantly improve against the run, which would go a long way towards helping the defense take a leap. However, as we always say, fans will have to wait until the season to see if all of the pieces fall in place.
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