Following what many have called the best off-season of 2016, it is time to break down how talented the Jacksonville Jaguars roster actually is. In this article, the defense will be the topic of discussion.
Jacksonville Jaguars Roster Evaluation: Defense
Left Defensive End
Starter – Dante Fowler Jr
Backup – Chris Smith
Third String – Tyson Alualu
Dante Fowler Jr is playing pro football, finally. The former number three overall pick will feel like a third, first-round talent added to this defensive unit for the coming season – having missed all of last year to a ligament tear in his knee. Should Fowler be able to capture his Florida Gators form during his first season as a playing professional then it will be an impact well worth the wait for a Jaguars team that seems on the cusp of greatness. Coupled with new rookie Yannick Ngakoue and veteran Jared Odrick, the defensive line finally looks as though it will reek havoc in 2016.
Defensive Tackle
Starter – Malik Jackson
Starter – Roy Miller
Backup – Sen’Derrick Marks
Backup – Sheldon Day
It feels as though the Jaguars were able to make two major moves on the defensive line this off-season with the return of Dante Fowler Jr from his unfortunate knee injury during last seasons rookie camp. However Fowler may not be the most potent addition to this front seven, as Superbowl 50 winner Malik Jackson looks to continue dominating the AFC following his move from the Denver Broncos. The pass rush was certainly an area of concern for a head coach who prides himself on potent defense, which is why the Jaguars’ front office parted with big money in order to secure a phenomenal talent.
Right Defensive End
Starter – Jared Odrick
Backup – Yannick Ngakoue
Third String – Chris Smith
Jared Odrick had a relatively good year during his first season in Jacksonville. However, he will need to up his total of 5.5 sacks in 2015 in order to retain a place in starting rotation, as third round pick Yannick Ngakoue looks to prove himself on the professional level. There is little doubting Odrick’s talent but his consistency over 16 games is questionable, and the right side of the line may come unstuck toward the end of the season – forcing Dante Fowler to face more and more double teams. This may well be a prove it or move it year for the Jaguars defensive unit of a year ago.
Left Outside Linebacker
Starter – Telvin Smith
Backup – Jordan Tripp
Third String – Joplo Bartu
Telvin Smith featured in the NFL’s Top 100 for the first time after a phenomenal showing during 2015, and he looks as though he is going to become one of the top rated young linebackers in the NFL this season. Primed by a revamped defensive front, Smith will unlikely face any double teams due to the pressure offensive linemen will be under from the likes of Fowler and Jackson. Smith and Myles Jack should be able to use their elite speed in order to dominate in sub-packages and pass coverage, giving the Jaguars one of the more versatile defensive units in the league.
Middle Linebacker
Starter – Paul Posluszny
Backup – Myles Jack
Third String – Hayes Pullard
Look for Jack to spend the majority of his season in the outside linebacker position opposite to Smith, as Paul Posluszny should thrive having had a lot of the pressure he felt in 2015 alleviated as he is no longer one of the only players with game-changing ability on this Jaguars’ defense. Myles Jack will do well to learn the tricks of middle linebacker from one of Jacksonville’s greatest, provided his knee stays healthy there is every chance that Jack will be playing the point for this defense by the end of 2016.
Right Outside Linebacker
Starter – Dan Skuta
Backup – Ryan Davis
Third String – Thurston Armbrister
Potentially the only uninspiring group in the defensive unit, unless Jack spends the majority of his rookie season on the outside, Skuta and company will be glad that there is a talented roster around them to hide their blushes as a seemingly ineffective unit. The starting outside linebacker only had 1.5 sacks last season and has a career total of seven since 2009. It doesn’t look good on this side from a Jacksonville point of view.
Left Cornerback
Starter – Davon House
Backup – Prince Amukamara
This is one of the most improved areas of the Jaguars’ team going in to 2016. Prince Amukamara can produce like a top five corner when he’s fully healthy and so he will be eager to prove himself as a starter during his one year, ‘prove it’ deal with the Jaguars. Though he will likely unseat House for the starting role if he fulfills his potential, Amukamara has some genuine competition in the form of Davon House, who defended 23 passes and snagged four interceptions during his career setting 2015 season. Look for this Jaguars’ secondary to be playing lights out defense during 2016.
Strong Safety
Starter – Jonathan Cyprien
Backup – James Sample
The former second round, hard hitting safety looks to prove himself as a stud defender after notching only two picks during his first three seasons as an NFL player. Due to the fact he has never played a full 16 games for the Jaguars Cyprien will need to prove both his durability and his consistency to the front office as his contract draws closer to its end. He will be hoping that his play in 2016 can keep him on the team for years to come, as he – much like his defense, continues to grow into its own.
Free Safety
Starter – Tashaun Gipson
Backup – Peyton Thompson
Free ssafety was arguably the position in the most desperate need of investment during the off-season, which is why Gus Bradley went out and signed former Pro-Bowl safety Tashaun Gipson to complement ‘star’ safety Jonathan Cyprien, if Gipson is able to reach the heights of his 2014 season with the Cleveland Browns, he will likely be returning to the Pro-Bowl in 2016.
Right Cornerback
Starter – Jalen Ramsey
Backup – Aaron Colvin
Jalen Ramsey was the Jaguars number one player going into the 2016 NFL Draft, and so the front office would have been dancing in their seats when the Dallas Cowboys passed on the former Florida State Seminole with the fourth pick. Ramsey will be an instant starter and impact maker in the league, drawing comparisons to legends such as Charles Woodson and Deion Sanders as he came out of college, scary. There is no doubt that he will become a cornerstone for this team, as fans and critics alike look to see him make a Marcus Peters type impression during his rookie year.
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