Let’s explore the big question facing the Jaguars’ defensive line unit entering training camp.
The Jacksonville Jaguars’ rookies have already reported for training camp on July 19th. The veterans will arrive on July 22nd, and the first practice will take place on July 23rd.
So with training camp almost here, we are taking a position-by-position look at the Jaguars‘ roster, specifically examining the one big question that faces each unit.
Up next is the defensive line. If you missed any of our other previews, you can find them below.
Can the Jaguars‘ defensive tackle position make a big jump in the new defensive scheme?
Even with Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker being two of the more disruptive defensive ends in football last season, the Jaguars’ play along the defensive line as a whole was not good enough.
By ESPN’s pass rush win rate metric, the Jaguars ranked 32nd. In run stop rate, they were 27th, and in terms of total pressures and sacks, Jacksonville was nearly last in those categories as well.
So the thought this offseason was that we were going to see GM James Gladstone invest somewhat heavily, whether it be cap dollars or draft capital, into that position. However, that didn’t end up being the case. Instead, the most significant personnel move is that Arik Armstead is moving from end to tackle, where he was highly productive in San Francisco.
If anything, this shows the confidence that Gladstone has in the players already on the roster, as well as Anthony Campanile’s defensive scheme.
“We certainly look forward to seeing guys being in different positions than they’ve been in the past and that being an element that activates different sides of them,” Gladstone said earlier this offseason, via Jaguars.com. “Their whole approach has been great so far, so we’re looking forward to it.”
In this new-look Jaguars’ defense, we can expect to see more movement along with the defensive front, with players potentially playing different gaps more often than they did previously. There is also going to be a more attacking play style.
“I feel like we able to just play a lot more free instead of more laterally,” Maason Smith said via News4JAX. “The coaches have told us from the first time they got here, they want to have more go, more getting off the ball, more penetration, whereas last year we were kind of playing more on the line of scrimmage.”
Smith continued: “It’s kind of the same technique, but it’s just more go, however you see fit kind of thing. If you take a shot, make it. If you miss it, that’s on you. But you know what I’m saying, you got that kind of leeway to make those plays and kind of see it as you fit.”
Based on what we saw in Green Bay last season, where Campanile was the linebackers coach, more blitzing and simulated pressures from the front seven could also be a part of the equation.
When it comes to improved play for the defense overall, the play of the tackles, in particular, can have a major impact on that. Whether it’s a run or a passing play, the quickest way to slow the offense is with quick pressure up the middle, and when that is happening regularly, every other defender on the field will benefit.
