Category: Jake Ryan

What the nation’s top analysts said about the 2020 Jaguars’ draft class

For the most part it looks like the nation’s journalists like what the Jags did in the 2020 NFL Draft.

The 2020 NFL Draft is in the books and it certainly has been one for the ages.

This year provided an interesting spin on the draft. Due to the social distancing guidelines caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the draft was done virtually with the coaches and player personnel of all 32 teams making their selections from their respective homes. Once the picks were in NFL commissioner Rodger Goodell would then read them off from his home and the rest is history.

The new format didn’t deter viewers as the 2020 NFL Draft would go on to be the highest watched in history as Day 1 and Day 2 would go on to average 11.6 million views, according to Grant Gordon of NFL.com.

The Jacksonville Jaguars were a part of this historic affair as they put together a solid draft that could see them build very well towards the future. While some teams missed the mark with their selections, here is how the nation’s best draft analysts viewed the Jags draft.

Chad Reuter, NFL.com

Overall grade: A

“Jacksonville picked up two star SEC defenders (Henderson and Chaisson) to meet critical needs in the first round, then selected worthwhile prospects in the second (Shenault) and third rounds (Hamilton) to sew up a nice first two days of the draft. They started Day 3 with Bartch, who I thought was worthy of a top-75 selection. He plays with a nasty demeanor, and should be able to line up at tackle or, eventually, slide inside if needed. Scott provides more depth in the secondary. Quarterman’s just a great football player who will start in the middle at some point in his pro career (with the Jags or someone else). Thomas is a better athlete than football player at this point, and is likely a special teamer. Johnson is a nice outside complement to Shenault. Luton will compete for playing time if Gardner Minshew falters in 2020 and should at least be a solid backup in the league for a few years.”

Ryan Dunleavy, New York Post

Grade: A-

“Tear-down-and-rebuild of an elite defense starts with the two first-rounders. Shenault is a creative play-caller’s dream and Bartch is a high-ceiling developmental project.”

Mark Maske,  Washington Post

Grade: B+

“The Jaguars seem firmly in rebuilding mode, and they pushed that process along. They landed the draft’s second-best CB, CJ Henderson, and its second-best pass rusher, K’Lavon Chaisson, in the first round. They participated in the run on WRs with the second-round choice of Laviska Shenault Jr. About all that went wrong is that the Jaguars did not find a team willing to trade for RB Leonard Fournette or pass rusher Yannick Ngakoue.

Justin Leger of Yahoo Sports writes


Grade: B

 “Henderson is a perfect pick for Jacksonville after parting ways with Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye. Combine that with Chaisson at No. 20, and those are two huge additions to the Jags defense. Taking Shenault on Day 2 filled another need at wide receiver, and Hamilton bolsters their run defense. One of the better picks for Jacksonville on Day 3 was Scott, another nice addition to the secondary. Overall, a busy and effective draft for a rebuilding Jaguars squad.”

Pete Prisco, CBSSports.com (grade on Florida cornerback C.J. Henderson)

Jacksonville Jaguars: B+

“I love him because he can cover. There are so many guys in the NFL that I talked to leading up to the draft that thought he was better than Okudah.”

Nate Davis, USA TODAY

Grade: C+

“Seems they’re building toward 2021 – Trevor Lawrence? – but nevertheless picked reputable players, including first-round CB C.J. Henderson, who should address a glaring need following Ramsey’s departure. Pass rusher K’Lavon Chaisson (Round 1) – taken with a pick obtained for Ramsey – and WR Laviska Shenault Jr. (Round 2) could need a transition year, which isn’t a knock but adds to the feel that this club is in a weird limbo. Speaking of which, disgruntled DE Yannick Ngakoue remains.”

Overall, the media received the Jaguars selections very well which could be an encouraging sign for things to come. It has been a tumultuous few weeks in Jacksonville with disgruntled defensive end Yannick Ngakoue battling with management and numerous accusations of the organization tanking for current Clemson star quarterback Trevor Lawrence.

However, the Jaguars can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that they did a solid job putting together a good, young team that could potentially compete sooner than people may think.

Report: Jaguars to decline Jake Ryan’s contract option

The Jaguars will be making the expected release of Jake Ryan, which helps to propel them to over $20 million in available cap space.

In addition to declining the contract option of Marcell Dareus Monday, it was announced that the team would be doing the same for linebacker Jake Ryan. Just like the decision with Dareus, the move is one that further puts the Jags under the cap as they rolled into this week over the cap by roughly $3.4 million.

The option was one that would’ve guaranteed $1 million of his $5.5M base salary.

Ryan, 27, joined the Jags last season via free agency from the Green Bay Packers. With his former coordinator Dom Capers on the staff, the Jags decided to take a swing on the young linebacker, who had previously missed the 2018 regular season with an ACL tear.

Unfortunately, his injury issues would continue as he suffered a setback before the preseason and wasn’t able to play until late November. Even upon returning, however, he was only available two weeks before having to be placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury.

With most accounting for the potential release of Ryan, linebacker was a big need for the Jags to begin with. Heading forward they will need to find the right players to pair with Myles Jack, so it wouldn’t be shocking if they added help through both the draft and free agency.

Per Over the Cap, releasing both Ryan and Dareus will put the Jags at about $21.4 million in available cap space, but they could end up with around $35 million or $46 million (if they release A.J. Bouye) in the coming weeks with a few other moves.

Jags sign LB Dakota Allen from Rams practice squad, place Jake Ryan on injured reserve with hamstring injury

The Jacksonville Jaguars informed Tyler Gauthier that they would be signing him off the New England Patriots’ practice squad Monday, but it appears they had another move in mind, too. They made the announcement that they also signed Dakota Allen …

The Jacksonville Jaguars informed Tyler Gauthier that they would be signing him off the New England Patriots’ practice squad Monday, but it appears they had another move in mind, too. They made the announcement that they also signed Dakota Allen from the Los Angeles Rams’ practice squad to help out their linebacking corps, which has struggled and been a victim to injuries.

To make room for the additions of both players, the Jags placed veteran linebacker Jake Ryan (hamstring) and offensive lineman Brandon Thomas (knee) on injured reserve.

Allen, 24, is a name many will recognize from the Netflix documentary series “Last Chance U.” He made history for the show by being the first player from the documentary to be drafted into the NFL.

Allen was drafted in April by the Los Angeles Rams in the seventh round (No. 251 overall). He was waived during final roster cuts, but was brought back through the team’s practice squad afterward.

In September, the Oakland Raiders snagged him off the Rams practice squad and he participated in their games against the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears. However, in late October he was waived and the Rams added him to their practice squad again.

As a collegiate player, Allen played at Texas Tech where he accumulated 262 total tackles, four interceptions and 11 pass breakups. While there he earned second-team All-Big 12 honors in 2017 and first-team All-Big 12 honors in 2018.

Jaguars activate LB Jake Ryan from reserve/non-football injury list

The Jags seemingly will have some much-needed help at linebacker this Sunday after activating LB Jake Ryan prior to Week 13’s game.

Fans of the Jacksonville Jaguars had been heavily anticipating the debut of linebacker Jake Ryan and it appears they will finally have their wishes granted. The team announced that the veteran linebacker was activated from their reserve/non-football injury list Saturday, which should provide some much needed help to their struggling linebackers group.

To make room for his addition, the Jags waived running back and punt returner Tyler Ervin.

Ryan, 27, signed with the Jags this offseason due to his relationship with defensive advisor Dom Capers back in Green Bay, who previously served as the Packers defensive coordinator. Ryan was drafted by Green Bay in the fourth-round of the 2015 draft (selection No. 129) and played for them until 2018. However, in July of last season, he tore his ACL and missed the whole 2018 season.

While with the Packers Ryan managed to accumulate 213 total tackles, a sack, three pass breakups and a forced fumble.

After signing with the Jags this March, Ryan was expected to be available for the regular season but suffered a setback in August. After working hard on a return, he resumed practicing with the team after the bye week and it appears the coaching staff liked the strides he made.

Ryan’s signing could be a sign that starting MIKE linebacker Myles Jack will be unavailable Sunday against the Tampa Bay Bucs after surfacing on the final injury report as questionable with a knee injury. It remains to be seen what position Ryan will play but fans shouldn’t rule out him seeing snaps at MIKE linebacker where Jack has struggled even when healthy.

Jaguars announce LB Jake Ryan will begin practicing

Following a significant setback while rehabbing his ACL injury, Jaguars LB Jake Ryan is officially healthy and ready to start practice.

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In the 2019 offseason, the Jacksonville Jaguars were looking for some playmakers on the defensive side of the ball following the losses of Tashaun Gipson and Malik Jackson. That led to them adding an extra evaluator on that side of the ball in NFL legend, Dom Capers, who quickly identified a free agent he thought the team should sign. That player was a former player of his while in Green Bay in linebacker Jake Ryan.

The Jaguars signed Ryan to a two-year deal worth over six million dollars this offseason. With the news of Telvin Smith’s absence occurring this summer, some fans believed the team had plans to potentially pair Ryan with Myles Jack in some manner to give them two of their three starting linebackers. However, that potential opportunity never occurred.

Back in Green Bay, Ryan had a fairly successful start to his NFL career. The veteran linebacker managed to accumulate 206 total tackles in his three seasons of work (2015-2017). Unfortunately in 2018, Ryan suffered an ACL injury that kept him out for the entirety of the regular season.

While rehabbing in Jacksonville this summer, Ryan suffered a setback that has kept him off of the field — until now that is. According to Jags coach Doug Marrone, the young linebacker is now at 100 percent and will begin practicing with the team, which could lead to him being released off the NFI list.

This is great news for Jacksonville as the team could use some help at the linebacker position with members of the group struggling to stay healthy. At times, they’ve also struggled against the run (like in their last game against the Houston Texans) and that’s an area in which Ryan could help them.

When healthy, expect Ryan to make an immediate impact. He is one of a few linebackers on the roster that has over five years of experience at the position. That in itself could go a long way.