Tag: Chad Muma

The Jacksonville Jaguars wouldn’t have selected Wyoming linebacker Chad Muma with the 70th overall pick in the third round if they didn’t have a plan on how to use him. On an appearance on the “Frank Frangie Show” on 1010XL Sports Radio, Muma said the Jaguars want him to be the money backer in their defense.

The money backer (or money linebacker) role was created by Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles that helped his defenses in Arizona adapt to modern rules that favor offenses. The position is a linebacker and safety hybrid who can play in the box and cover wide receivers, tight ends, and running backs while also having the ability to play the run. The money backer is essentially a sub-package position, but Bowles has heavily utilized it where these players see the field just as much or more than base defense starters.

Current Jaguars defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell was one of Bowles’ top assistants for many years and will likely take the same approach as his mentor.

“The NFL has become such a passing game too, that I’m also able to do that,” Muma said. “If they’re running the ball, I’m going to be throwing my head in there and making plays and stopping that run, but if it translates to the pass as well, I’m going be dropping back and making those plays and getting some picks here and there and breaking on balls and doing all that as well.”

In time, Muma could become the Jags’ starter at MIKE linebacker, which would be closer to his role in college.

He said he was a two-time captain at Wyoming and is comfortable calling plays and making checks.

“So that’s definitely something I see myself developing into, is that green dot player, where I’m able to make those calls,” Muma said. “Even at the Senior Bowl, when I was there, I had the green dot inside my helmet, so I was making the calls at the Senior Bowl, so I’m already kind of exposed to that mic in your head. I’m looking forward to making sure I understand the defense so I can be that player for Jacksonville.”

Last year, it was clear the Jags needed to make changes in the middle of their defense as the production there was inconsistent. Now with Muma (and the other additions made this offseason), they have several players who shouldn’t have any trouble taking on the responsibilities that come with being a green dot player.

The Jacksonville Jaguars turned a lot of heads when they drafted Wyoming linebacker Chad Muma with the 70th overall pick, their second selection in the third round. It was surprising the Jags went that direction after trading back into the first round to take Utah linebacker Devin Lloyd and signing former Atlanta Falcon Foyesade Oluokun this offseason

Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke and head coach Doug Pederson met with the media on Friday where Baalke defended his decision to take Muma.

“He was highly rated on our board for one,” Baalke said about Muma. “He fits the culture we’re trying to build. I don’t think we can ever have enough good linebackers. He’s a green dot guy. He can run the defense. He’s a really good special teams player as well. There’s just a lot to like.”

He added that they also wanted to take a linebacker just in case an injury happens.

Baalke then explained the role they envision Muma playing in Jacksonville.

“How they fit into the system and how much they are going to be used and what packages they are going to be used on, that’s up to Coach Caldwell and the defensive coaching staff,” he said. “I know special teams-wise, he’s going to fit in day one and then you grow your role from there. All these guys have to come in and earn their (spot).

“We’ve got some guys that are here also that are competing for these jobs. It’s not like they come in and a role is given to them. They’ve got to go earn it. We’re very confident at the value, it was a pick we needed to make.”

This was the second straight answer where he mentioned that Muma would have a big role on special teams, which doesn’t make a ton of sense considering Jacksonville used a third-round pick on him. Hopefully, Muma will come in and earn some significant playing time on defense, not just special teams. Maybe a key to that could be a third-down package, but ultimately time will tell what the Jags have in mind for Muma.

The Jacksonville Jaguars continued to beef up their linebacking corps this offseason. They signed former Atlanta Falcon Foyesade Oluokun in free agency and drafted Utah’s Devin Lloyd with the 27th overall pick.

But Jacksonville wasn’t finished. It drafted Wyoming’s Chad Muma with its second third-round pick, making Tony Gilbert’s linebacker room quite crowded.

The selection of Muma is puzzling when considering the franchise already drafted one and paid a lot of money for one in free agency. It gets more head-scratching after realizing that the Jaguars have listed No. 1 overall pick, Travon Walker, as an outside linebacker. So officially, general manager Trent Baalke and head coach Doug Pederson have now added four linebackers this offseason, including Walker.

However, Muma is a solid player and many scouts and media members considered him one of the best linebackers in this year’s class. He racked up 266 tackles, 19 tackles for a loss, 5.5 sacks, three picks, two fumble recoveries, and a forced fumble in four seasons with the Cowboys. As a senior, he tallied 142 tackles with eight of them being for a loss, 1.5 sacks, and three interceptions.

NFL.com‘s Lance Zierlein likes his see-ball, get-ball mentality and his ability to hunt down runners with good build-up and aggressive demeanor. However, Zierlein noted that he falls prey to false steps and wasted motion at times.

The Jags, Baalke, and Pederson made a great pick with Muma, but finding a way to get him on the field could be challenging. Maybe placing him on special teams will help.

Heading forward, they still need to add talent at several other positions like defensive tackle, offensive tackle, tight end, or wide receiver. With six picks remaining, it will be interesting to see how the Jags address their remaining needs during the last day of the draft Saturday.

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