The defensive line group might be the best of the team, outside of the wide receivers. The team recently learned that senior edge defender Ali Gaye would return for one more season to play opposite of BJ Ojulari. The duo should be very productive under the guidance of defensive line coach Jamar Cain, who comes over from Oklahoma.
The interior group will be led by Jaquelin Roy and Maason Smith. The former was listed among the best returners by Pro Football Focus. Roy stepped up due to the losses of Glen Logan and Neil Farrell Jr. With so many injuries to the edge, Smith had to slide outside more often than not. Roy will look to be even better in 2022.
Jaquelin Roy was ranked as the No. 9 returning interior defensive lineman heading into next season.
What PFF Says…
Roy took a massive step forward in his 2021 true sophomore campaign. The 2020 top-50 overall recruit posted an 81.2 PFF grade, nearly 30 points higher than his true freshman mark. Roy tied with Georgia’s Jalen Carter for the highest pass-rush grade at the position in the Power Five (89.7). He will help form one of the most talented defensive lines in the country in 2022 with Maason Smith, BJ Ojulari, Ali Gaye and others.
Smith should have likely been on this list as well, but given that he spent time on the outside as well he was likely viewed as a hybrid player. Roy finished the season with 30 tackles, six TFLs, 1.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries, and one forced fumble.
This group could help mask some of their deficiencies on the backend until they can figure out their cornerback rotation in 2022.
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Comment below if you think Roy is ranked too low or if Maason Smith should be on the list.