HEADLINES

De’Shaan Dixon

Latest On Jaguars’ EDGE Depth

May 18th, 2024 at 9:26am CST by Ben Levine

The Jaguars have made some notable additions to their defensive line this offseason, adding Arik Armstead via free agency and Maason Smith via the draft. However, the front office hasn’t done a whole lot to address their depth on the edge behind Josh Allen and Travon Walker.

During a conversation with Juston Lewis of the Jacksonville Florida Times-Union, assistant general manager Ethan Waugh acknowledged that the organization needs to identify at least two more pass rushers if they hope to compete for a Super Bowl.

The team’s depth is set to look a bit different in 2024. The Jaguars let K’Lavon Chaisson walk via free agency following a 2023 campaign where the edge rusher soaked up about 25 percent of the team’s defensive snaps. Further, after Yasir Abdullah got some looks on the edge as a rookie, the 2023 fifth-round pick is expected to be moved to SAM linebacker in defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen’s system.

The team’s main move at the position was extending Allen, who inked a five-year, $150MM contract with the organization, but they’ve otherwise been quiet adding players behind their starting duo. The Jaguars did bring in former Bears part-time starter Trevis Gipson, but the veteran was limited to only 76 defensive snaps in 2023. The team may end up being reliant on the free agent acquisition; the rest of the team’s depth consists of rookie seventh-round pick Myles Cole and former UDFAs like DJ Coleman and De’Shaan Dixon.

While the Jaguars could always turn to the handful of experienced veteran edge rushers who remain on the market, Waugh is confident that the team’s solution could already be on the roster.

“We added Trevis Gipson, we had some guys there,” Waugh told Lewis. “We have some guys that were on the practice squad previously, DJ Coleman types. Yasir Abdullah is playing the SAM spot, which is really kind of an edge rusher too at times. “What we want to do is see those guys fight it out and develop.

“I think you do really need to come up with four edge rushers if you want to play at a Super Bowl level, and finding guys that can affect the quarterback in waves is really key to what we’re trying to do.”

NFL Reserve/Futures Contracts: 2/13/24

February 13th, 2024 at 7:31pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s reserve/futures deals:

Jacksonville Jaguars

Kansas City Chiefs

San Francisco 49ers

Oruwariye spent much of the 2023 season on the Jaguars practice squad, with the defensive back getting into just one game. The former fifth-round pick has more experience than your standard reserve/futures contract, as Oruwariye started 29 games for the Lions between 2020 and 2021. That latter season was one of his strongest, as he finished with 57 tackles, 11 passes defended, and six interceptions.

Jaguars Sign 15 Undrafted Free Agents

May 2nd, 2022 at 7:56pm CST by Ben Levine

The Jaguars stole some headlines during the draft when they selected Travon Walker with the first-overall pick. Days later, the team is still adding. The Jaguars announced the signing of 15 undrafted free agents:

The most notable name on the list is Kevin Austin. The wideout had a breakout campaign with Notre Dame in 2021, finishing with 48 receptions for 888 yards and seven touchdowns. Standing at 6-2 and 215 pounds, the receiver will compete for a roster spot with fellow UDFA WR Lujuan Winningham, who had 25 touchdowns during his final three seasons at Central Arkansas.

Andrew Mevis went 20-for-23 on field goals last season and made 100 percent of his extra point tries, putting him on the NFL map. He’ll provide some competition in a room that also features Matthew Wright and Ryan Santoso.