When new Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen was asked how he’ll coach his team to get off the field on third down, he wasn’t as concerned with the team’s pass rushers as he was with the defensive backs.
“We’ve got a couple of good edge guys here,” Nielsen told reporters. “If the coverage has holes in it or give an easy throw, it doesn’t matter who we’ve got coming off the edge. … We have to get the quarterback to hold it.”
On one side, the Jaguars have Tyson Campbell, a 2021 second-round pick who put together a stellar second season before injuries slowed him down in 2023. On the other is Darious Williams, an undersized but wily veteran who put together a career best year at age 30.
But there’s a chance Williams has played his last game in Jacksonville with the Jaguars able to recoup $11 million in cap space by releasing the veteran.
Either way, the Jaguars need to shore up their coverage after finishing 26th in the NFL in passing yards allowed. Adding a top cornerback prospect like Toledo’s Quinyon Mitchell could be a great place to start: