Examining the Jaguars' Upgrades and Changes to the Defensive Roster

With the biggest capital in franchise history, the Jacksonville Jaguars drafted 12 rookies back in April and signed 18 more for a whopping 30 member rookie class. Injecting that much new talent into the roster is bound to shake some things up and provide extra competition as training camp position battles begin.

With that camp scheduled to begin on July 28, we take a look at both sides of the ball to evaluate what the talent added and consider whether or not it’s an upgrade over last year’s 2019 roster that went 6-6.

It’s important to note, the spread of the coronavirus COVID-19 is continuing to shape decisions worldwide and will most certainly do so with American sports. If training camp and subsequently the 2020 NFL season continue to experience upheaval (more than it already has), then position battles in training camp could be moot, leading to experienced players keeping their roles. However, if coaches see the years as a lost season anyways, then young guys could be trotted out to gain experience during a season that will be remembered with an asterisk.

Still, the new additions to the Jaguars roster are robust. In this second in a two part series, we look at the defensive side of the ball.

After a 2017 season that saw the defense carry the team to a AFC South title, the Jaguars and Defensive Coordinator Todd Wash have been struggling to replicate the magic. While some of the pieces remain from that roster, the turnover has cost Jacksonville some big names. In 2019, Wash and Head Coach Doug Marrone had to cobble together several units due to injury and trades.

So it was no surprise the Jags put huge bets on future defensive stars in the 2020 NFL Draft and free agency. Will it be enough?

Let’s start at the top.

With their first of two 1st round picks, Marrone and General Manager Dave Caldwell selected corner CJ Henderson out of Florida at No. 9 overall. Of all the 2020 draft picks, Henderson has the best chance of starting right away. This is largely due to the departure of Jalen Ramsey in 2019. Henderson is an incredible corner with impeccable skills, but it’s hard to say just yet whether or not he’d be an upgrade over Ramsey talent wise. Ramsey is a special talent, that’s indisputable, just like Henderson.

But one of the primary reasons Ramsey and the Jaguars parted ways was, what we’ll call, personality differences. It was oil and water as Ramsey took that role as a prototypical corner and amplified the boisterous aspect. It can pay dividends on the field but cause discourse in the locker room when not managed well. That is one area that won’t be an issue with CJ Henderson. He is the epitome of calm, cool and collected. He doesn’t raise his voice or even speak unless necessary. He let’s his play do the talking. In that way, for the culture the Jaguars are hoping to build, CJ Henderson is an upgrade.

While Henderson is seen as the replacement for Ramsey, it was Tre Herndon—the former undrafted free agent who worked his way onto the roster—who stepped in when Ramsey was traded to the Los Angeles Rams. Opposite A.J. Bouye, Herndon started 14 games and led the team in both passes defended (13) and interceptions (three). He’s earned the role and will likely keep it through training camp, as will D.J. Hayden at nickel.

Safety should stay much the same with Ronnie Harrison and Jarrod Wilson. The Jags did upgrade their depth in the unit, drafting Daniel Thomas out of Auburn in the 5th round and snagging possibly the steal of free agency in J.R. Reed out of Georgia. Of the 18 UDFA’s signed by the Jags, Reed has one of the better shots to not only make the roster, but contribute. He and Thomas are different statures, meaning between the two of them, the safety unit is building depth for future rotations.

Marrone and Wash were one more injury away from holding linebacker casting calls last season, so frankly, any addition is an upgrade. Hometown kid Shaquille Quarterman was brought in through the draft, then the front office hit the free agency market. There they brought in Joe Schobert from the Cleveland Browns. He’ll handily take over the middle linebacker spot, allowing Myles Jack to make the more natural move outside as the weak side linebacker.

New FA addition Cassius Marsh is listed on the roster as a DE but he has told reporters specifically he’ll be playing strong side linebacker, battling with Leon Jacobs for the starting role.

Myles Jack is the type of talent that coaches will put on the field no matter what. This restructuring of the linebacker unit though allows him to play in a more natural spot, best utilizing his skill set and by shuffling everyone around, Wash and Marrone are hoping to find a more cohesive unit.

Up front in the trenches, questions still abound. Yannick Ngakoue is on the roster with the trade deadline having passed. He could still find himself with a new team should the right offer come along, as John Shipley succinctly explained here. But for the sake of this evaluation, we’re going to assume he will be on the team come fall because, well, he is right now.

Calais Campbell was a huge presence in every sense of the word and won’t be easy to replace. He was able to move inside at times to supplement at tackle when injury struck others. But it’s at defensive end where the Pro-Bowler is a huge loss for the Jaguars. That’s not to say those filling his position aren’t capable. There just are only a handful of players in the NFL that could truly be considered an upgrade from Campbell. Keeping Ngakoue—and convincing him to play—will be key to filling that void. Along with Pro-Bowler Josh Allen going into his second year, the ends will be anchored.

Marsh, FA signing Aaron Lynch, 1st round pick K’Lavon Chaisson and Allen are all capable of playing both outside linebacker and defensive end. This allows Wash more flexibility in alignments, looks and even disguises. That in and of itself is a new component to the defense that can make up for not having Campbell, and possible losing Ngakoue as well.

Taven Bryan will continue at defensive tackle. Abry Jones has become a consistent producer for the Jaguars at nose tackle since making the roster in 2013. But after losing Marcell Darius to injury, the Jaguars were looking for solidification at the nose. So in free agency, they signed Al Woods from Seattle.

General Manager Dave Caldwell called 3rd round pick DaVon Hamilton “a younger version of Al” and the two new acquisitions should give the Jags a strong rotation at the first point of attack.

As Jacksonville entered the 2020 NFL Draft and free agency period, defense was the primary focus. The big name stars of last year are gone, but with pointed signings and picks, the Jacksonville Jaguars defense can began building a strong foundation for the future.