2023 NFL Combine: 5 Defensive Linemen For the Jaguars to Watch

Which interior defenders make the most sense for the Jaguars to target if they want to add to their depth in the trenches?

The NFL Scouting Combine kicks off next week, bringing the 2023 draft class fully into focus for all 32 teams.

With general managers and coaches set to speak on Tuesday and Wednesday and players kicking off workouts on Wednesday, the week of athletic testing and evaluations is set to fully come into view.

With the combine now ready to set the stage before free agency and the draft, we take a look at players worth monitoring for Jaguars' purposes. Whether it be players who are options at No. 24 or players who make sense elsewhere in the draft, we will pick out five players at each position who should be watched closely next week.

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Next up: defensive linemen. 

Bryan Bresee, Clemson 

The No. 1 recruit in the 2020 high school class and one of the biggest recruits in recent memory, Bryan Bresee's time at Clemson was a rollercoaster. It wasn't always due to things within Bresee's control, with an ACL injury and the tragic death of Bresee's 15-year-old sister all taking place during his college career. Bresee now enters the combine with arguably the most to gain of any defensive lineman, with a chance to keep his high spot on draft boards with a good performance. 

The Jaguars value versatility and explosiveness in their interior defensive linemen, and they would certainly get that in Bresee. Whether he lasts to No. 24 overall and becomes a realistic option for them likely depends on the kind of numbers he posts in Indianapolis. While a strong day of testing likely wouldn't help shake some of the comparisons he has received (Taven Bryan, Ra'Shede Hageman), it would help validate an early selection.

Keeanu Benton, Wisconsin 

Few defenders have seen their stock rise in recent weeks like Wisconsin's Keaanu Benton. By all reports, Benton was one of the most difficult defenders to block in all of Mobile during the Reese's Senior Bowl week, serving up impressive wins against the run and pass thanks to a blend of size and explosion that makes him a difficult block for any line. 

If Benton can have a successful week in Indianapolis, he could see his stock rise to that of the late second/early third round, much like DaVon Hamilton in 2020. His best football appears to be ahead of him after his most productive season came in 2022, so a round of impressive athletic testing would simply be the cherry on top.

Siaki Ika, Baylor 

One of this year's most exciting defensive line prospects, Siaki Ika has all of the traits of a potential Pro Bowl nose tackle. The 6-foot-4, 358-pound four-star recruit moves well for a man of his size, and he can further prove this at the combine. Ika is most commonly found mocked at the end of the first or start of the second-round, and he will need an impressive week at the combine to justify such a selection. 

Considering Ika isn't a true pass-rusher (five sacks in four seasons), he is a powerful space-eater who has the potential to be more at the next level. Whether he can be a versatile, explosive disruptor or just another gap-plugger will likely be determined by his performance in the agility and jump drills. 

Calijah Kancey, Pittsburgh  

The undersized darling in this year's defensive line group, Calijah Kancey has naturally drawn comparisons to former Pittsburgh defensive lineman Aaron Donald since neither is the stereotypical size for a defensive tackle. Standing at 6-foot-0, 280 pounds, Kancey won't be a fit for every team, but he could fit for a Jaguars team that has shown the willingness to experiment with smaller defensive linemen inside. 

How Kancey tests in the agility drills and jumps will go a long way toward determining both his floor and ceiling. If he explodes at the combine with a good showing, Kancey and his 14 sacks over the last two seasons could be picked early on Day 2. If he puts up numbers that make his size tough to ignore, he could even be a potential option at No. 56.

Adetomiwa Adebawore, Northwestern

With the way the Jaguars showed the ability to use multiple players on the edge and inside last year, it makes sense to draw connections to them and Northwestern's Adetomiwa Adebawore. The former three-star recruit recorded 9.5 sacks over the last two seasons while lining up inside and out for Northwestern's defense, including reps at three-technique and standing up on the edge. 

Adebawore may be more of a third-down player early on in his career, but those types of players are still worth taking a roll of the dice on early in the draft if they have the athletic numbers to back their ceiling. Adebawore was a versatile and disruptive pass-rusher throughout his college career and is built similar to a lot of players the Jaguars already have seen success with.