The Jacksonville Jaguars have a lot of needs to address this offseason but we listed linebacker as their top in our postseason assessment of the team. However, some would say the Jags have more pressing needs, including ESPN.
In their network’s biggest 2020 offseason needs article, Jags beat writer Mike DiRocco identified the interior defensive line as the Jags’ most pressing need of the offseason:
Jacksonville Jaguars
Fix the interior of the defensive line. The Jaguars finished 28th in rushing defense and gave up more than 200 yards on the ground four times. They’re not bringing back defensive tackle Marcell Dareus ($20 million cap savings), and 2018 first-round pick Taven Bryan, who played well in the season finale, has been largely disappointing. Jacksonville has major needs at other positions (linebacker, left tackle, receiver and cornerback), but the defensive front is the key to the team’s resurgence in 2020. — Mike DiRocco
A good point is made about the Jags’ struggles without Marcell Dareus, who was the team’s best run defender without a doubt. Once he was placed on injured reserve due to a core muscle injury that ended with surgery, the Jags began to get gashed up the middle in the run game week in and week out. Still, the unit at least has solid pass-rushers in Yannick Ngakoue, Josh Allen and Calais Campbell, which is why we listed it as our fourth most pressing need.
In looking ahead, the draft will be the place to replenish the Jags’ defensive line issues in the interior because getting a player who is a starting caliber lineman on the defensive line will be expensive. Additionally, if the Jags need to give any defensive lineman a boatload of money in free agency, it’s Ngakoue.
There have been some mocks where Auburn defensive lineman Derrick Brown has fallen in the Jags lap and he’d be a tremendous addition if the Jags can pull it off. If they can’t land him, I think settling for Javon Kinlaw of South Carolina would be just fine in the eyes of Jags fans.
