Todd Wash Explains Jaguars' Rookie K'Lavon Chaisson's Role Vs. Titans
When the Jacksonville Jaguars drafted defensive end K'Lavon Chaisson with the No. 20 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the expectation was the first-round defender would quickly play a large role in the defense.
This was the case in the team's 27-20 victory in Week 1, with Chaisson playing 46 snaps (62%). But in the Jaguars' 33-30 loss to the Tennessee Titans in Week 2, the young and athletic pass rusher played just 18 snaps (29%), a far cry from his usage just a week prior.
So, why didn't Jacksonville's second-best option at getting to the quarterback play much against the Titans despite the Jaguars struggling to produce pressure without him? Defensive coordinator Todd Wash explained his view on it on Wednesday.
"I think a lot of it depends on the offenses that we play. If they’re out there in a lot of eleven personnel, then we can put both of our defensive ends or our rushes on the field at the same time if they’re using a lot of big people. Down and distance tendencies all determine that," Wash said.
"I know everybody sits and just counts the numbers, but you really have to look into the game and see what we’re facing and see what we’re trying to do defensively or as a team to be successful. But if there’s an opportunity to get him on the grass, he will be on the grass, no doubt.”
Essentially, if the Jaguars want to stop the run, or if the opposing team comes out with a formation that suggests they will run the ball, Wash is going to want Adam Gotsis on the field over Chaisson. Gotsis has been a solid run-defender this season so that is a fair and logical stance, though he will likely still need to find ways to get Chaisson on the field.
Jacksonville has not let a running back record 100 yards rushing against them this season despite facing several talented backs, so the Jaguars' strategy at stopping the run has obviously worked. They limited Derrick Henry to fewer than 3.5 yards per carry in Sunday's loss so, the Wash's credit, the Jaguars did exactly what they wanted to.
But the team will likely still need to find a balance when it comes to Chaisson. While he may not be an ideal run defender, he is currently the only defensive lineman on the team with a sack, and it is important for him to be on the field to continue his development.
“It was a situation with the personnel groupings that was dictated by Tennessee. Obviously if they go big, we’re going big and that’s some of things I think are helping us stop the run," Wash said.
"But when the situation dictates to get obviously him and Josh [Allen] in the game, we’re going to get him in the game at that point in time. As the season goes on, it all depends on what kind of offenses we face. We’re not facing just little people or ten personnel or eleven personnel, people are trying to get big on us, which Tennessee did at times, and we have to match that size. So that’s how that turned out on Sunday."
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