Linebackers Are Key for the Jaguars

The Jacksonville Jaguars are coming off yet another disappointing season. For the second straight season, the Jaguars ended the year with the worst overall record. Many expected that the top priority for the Jaguars would be aiding second-year Quarterback Trevor Lawrence. While the Jaguars did spend a lot of money in free agency to help the young quarterback, the Jaguars did not neglect their defensive needs. The Jaguars linebackers are likely the area that improved most on the defensive side of the football. The Jaguars have struggled to find consistent play from their linebackers in the past. This upcoming season, adding depth and big play ability at the linebacker position seemed to be a top priority for the Jaguars. The Jacksonville front office used both free agency and the NFL Draft to help improve their linebacking corps.

The Offseason Round-Up

The offseason started off with a bang for Jacksonville. This contrasts the Jaguars approach to free agency last year. Last year the Jaguars used their priority free agent signings on role players like Roy Robertson-Harris, Rayshawn Jenkins, and Jamal Agnew. This season the Jaguars made a splash on both the offensive and defensive side of the football. Signing Christian Kirk, Evan Engram, and Zay Jones should take some of the pressure off of Trevor Lawrence. Travis Etienne suiting up for the first time in a Jags uniform should help as well. However, the most obvious aid to Lawrence will be from his coach staff. Not only are the Jaguars heading into the season with former Super Bowl winning coach, and NFL Quarterback Doug Pederson. The Jaguars also have former Quarterbacks Coach Press Taylor as the Offensive Coordinator, and former Head Coach Mike McCoy as the Quarterback Coach. This coaching staff is full of knowledge when it comes to the Quarterback position. Therefore, the top priority rests on fixing this defense.

Linebackers are a Priority

The Jacksonville Jaguars have struggled in many areas since their 2018 AFC Championship birth. Since then, it has been a struggle to find any consistency. Perhaps the strongest position group of that team was their linebackers. Paul Posluszny, Myles Jack, and Telvin Smith were a strong group that contributed to both stuffing the run and clogging passing lanes. However, this has been one of their weakest position group for a few seasons now. The Jaguars inability to stop the run, and their cover backers being exposed in the passing game has made it difficult for this defense to make any real progress. This season GM Trent Baalke and company made the decision to prioritize their linebackers.

Free Agency Splash

As discussed earlier, the Jaguars made a huge splash in free agency this offseason. While the Christian Kirk and Brandon Scherff signings got the majority of the attention, the Jaguars used some of their cap space to help improve their defense as well. Perhaps the most impactful signing was the signing of inside Linebacker Foye Oluokun, the NFL’s leader in tackles last season. Oluokun will replace the aforementioned Jack at inside backer. While Oluokun should serve as a quality replacement for Jack, the Jaguars still lacked depth at both outside and inside linebacker. However, this changed on draft night.

Drafting Multiple Linebackers

The Jacksonville Jaguars have a long history of poor drafting. However, GM Trent Baalke is sitting on the hottest seat in the NFL right now. It is vital that the Jaguars made the correct decision at number one this season. Many were shocked when the Jaguars selected edge rusher Travon Walker with the number one overall pick over Michigan edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson. Walker has the athletic makeup to be a perennial All-Pro. However, refining his game is going to be a much more tedious process than with Hutchinson.

The Jaguars weren’t done adding to their linebacker room however. After selecting the outside linebacker Walker at number one in the draft, Jacksonville traded back into the first to select middle linebacker Devin Lloyd at number twenty-seven. Much like Walker, Lloyd is a physically gifted linebacker who can disrupt the game on multiple levels. Lloyd ended last season with seven sacks, four interceptions, and an incredible twenty-two tackles for loss.

After selecting Devin Lloyd, the Jaguars drafted yet another linebacker in the third round. Former Wyoming linebacker Chad Muma is another promising talent. The Jaguars now have plenty of talented linebackers. The question now is, how will these players be used?

Versatility and Creativity

In the past, Jacksonville has been criticized for their lack of creativity on defense. This should not be a problem with this defense. The Jaguars will stick with a 3-4 defense as their base defense. However, it should come as no surprise if the Jaguars use multiple fronts. Travon Walker can play virtually anywhere on the front seven. Oluokun, Lloyd, and Muma are three young linebackers who can give offensive coordinators fits. Look for the Jaguars to get very creative with the defensive pieces they have.

There is a possibility the Jaguars shift from 3-4 to 4-3 throughout the season. The starting front seven for Jacksonville in a 3-4 defense will likely be Walker and Josh Allen coming off the edge. K’Lavon Chaisson and Arden Key could serve as rotational pieces. The interior of the defensive line will likely be Roy Robertson-Harris, DaVon Hamilton, and Folorunso Fatukasi rotating with Jay Tufele, Dawuane Smoot, Adam Gotsis, and Malcom Brown. Oluokun and Lloyd will be the starting linebackers. Muma and Shaq Quarterman will play in certain fronts or situations.

When moving to a 4-3, the Jaguars will likely start Muma as the strongside backer. Oluokun will play weakside linebacker. Lloyd will likely serve as the starting mike linebacker. Walker will likely play edge, but could move to a 3 technique on passing downs. On clear passing downs the front line could vary with combinations of Walker playing the edge or the 3 tech. If he moves to the 3 tech, Chasson could fill in and compliment Josh Allen off the edge. This gives Jacksonville three, possibly four if Lloyd is sent on a blitz, quality pass rushers.

Creativity Creates Opportunity

The expectations for these Jaguars linebackers are to show their potential. It is highly unlikely Walker is leading the team in sacks this upcoming season. Muma and Lloyd will need time to adjust to the speed of the game. Being versatile will help these young players. The Jaguars could line up in the traditional 3-4 or 4-3. However, there is a possibility they line up in a 4-4 front. The Jaguars could line up in a 46 defense. Lloyd could kick down to edge and put Jacksonville in a 5-2 front. The more offensive coordinators need to prepare, the more opportunities to make plays.