The Jaguars' Biggest Roster Hole That Still Hasn’t Been Addressed

The Jacksonville Jaguars still need to make some additions to kick off the retooling of the 2026 roster.

Jacksonville Jaguars general manager James Gladstone, left, talks with Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen, right, after the. Jacksonville Jaguars’ mandatory minicamp Tuesday June 10, 2025 at the Miller Electric Center in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union] | Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Free agency deals will be officially signed at 4 p.m. today as the new league year begins. At least for most teams.

The Jacksonville Jaguars are one of three teams -- along with the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks -- that have yet to sign an outside free agent. The Jaguars haven't exactly been inactive considering they did sign Montaric Brown and Dennis Gardeck to extensions, but the Jaguars will still need to make an addition at some point.

Nov 23, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Montaric Brown (30) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

So while the Jaguars did fill holes at cornerback and strong side linebacker/edge rusher, there is still one clear area they need to address in the coming days and weeks: defensive line.

DL Needs

Jan 4, 2026; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars general manager James Gladstone looks on from the sideline against the Tennessee Titans during the fourth quarter at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Travis Register-Imagn Images | Travis Register-Imagn Images

Between Dawuane Smoot, Austin Johnson and Emmanuel Ogbah, the Jaguars have 965 snaps from their defensive line rotation that are set to be free agents at 4 p.m. The Jaguars would likely need to find upgrades regardless if any of the three were ever coming back, but them departing just puts the pressure on the Jaguars more.

With that said, the Jaguars do have three internal candidates and 11 draft picks to address the depth of their defensive line. Matt Dickerson signed a new deal this offseason to return in 2026, while former undrafted rookies Danny Striggow and B.J. Green could have even more put on their plate next year.

Dec 7, 2025; Jacksonville, Florida, USA;Jacksonville Jaguars defensive lineman Danny Striggow (92) celebrates after a play against the Indianapolis Colts at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Travis Register-Imagn Images | Travis Register-Imagn Images

With that said, the Jaguars have only a few clear areas of improvement after their 13-4 season and AFC South title. They are returning nearly the entire coaching staff, the entire offensive line, their star quarterback, and their most important pieces on defense in Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker. That doesn't even go to mention the receiver room's top players returning, another year of Brenton Strange's development, and year two of Travis Hunter.

But it was clear last season that the Jaguars' pass-rush was one of those areas that could be boosted. Hines-Allen is an elite player and Walker will more than likely sign a massive contract in the next 12 months, but as good as those two are, the Jaguars need more. The best teams in the NFL and the most recent Super Bowl winners have been built in the trenches, and the Jaguars will need to follow that mold.

Jacksonville Jaguars general manager James Gladstone speaks during a press conference at the Miller Electric Center, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla. | Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

So whether it is defensive tackle or edge rusher, the Jaguars' biggest need now is the defensive line. It likely would have been cornerback had Brown not been signed. Running back and linebacker are up there after losing Travis Etienne and Devin Lloyd, too. But for now, the defensive line still needs the first reinforcements.

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