As training camp nears for the Jacksonville Jaguars, we're going to break down the most interesting positional battles that will take place in camp and the preseason. Between starting positions and depth spots, there will be interesting battles up and down the roster.  

The Jacksonville Jaguars need to generate more pressure in 2023.  That's going to be one of the keys to their season.

And while the starting outside linebackers are etched in stone with Josh Allen and Travon Walker, the battle to see who will be the first ones to spell them should be intense. 

Jaguars Backup EDGE/OLB Candidates

K’Lavon Chaisson

Chaisson was selected with the second of two first-round picks in the 2020 draft.  Unfortunately, it’s safe to say he hasn’t lived up to his billing at all.  The LSU product has only generated 3 sacks in 40 games over his 3 seasons.  

He has generated some praise from the coaching staff this offseason, specifically defensive line coach Brentson Buckner, who stated last month that Chaisson is ready to surprise this season.  If Chaisson can follow the path of former Jaguar Arden Key – who generated 11 sacks the last 2 seasons after only 3 his first 3 years (37 games) – it could be a big boost for the Jags' defense. 

Yasir Abdullah

The Jaguars selected the Louisville product in the fifth round of the 2023 draft, and it’s not hard to understand why.  Abdullah played behind the line of scrimmage at Louisville, where he racked up a combined 19.5 sacks over his last two seasons.  His 43 tackles for loss were second in Louisville history. 

He and Anton Harrison have already had some good back-and-forth work during rookie minicamp, where Abdullah showed some good speed around the edge.  His physical upside and natural pass rushing skills alone should help Abdullah make the final 53-man roster as a reserve at one of the two OLB spots – provided he doesn't fizzle out in the preseason. 

DJ Coleman

Coleman is long shot, but one that was signed for a reason.  He has the burst and potential to get to the quarterback.  He totaled six sacks at Missouri in 2022 after transferring from Jacksonville State. 

Although he's a physical, hard-working player, his build and skillset is more suited to a 4-3 defensive end than a 3-4 outside linebacker, so it's tough to see him being able to handle coverage responsibilities or other nuances of the position.  A situational pass-rusher at best, but the Jaguars are looking for those, so he'll have his chance. 

Jordan Smith

The Jaguars liked Smith enough to trade up in the fourth round of the 2021 draft to go get him.  Smith so far hasn’t produced at the level the team would have hoped.  That’s not all Smith’s fault; he suffered a knee injury in June 2022 that kept him out for the entire season and from which he had reportedly still not fully recovered as of last month. 

The opportunity is undeniable for Smith, with no established veteran presence aside from the underwhelming Chaisson to challenge for one of the two second-string spots.  However, the health of his knee as training camp hits does raise concerns about whether he can impress sufficiently – and quickly enough – to convince the coaches he deserves one more chance. 

Willie Taylor III

The long shot of the group, Taylor was signed this offseason after his season with the Arlington Renegades of the XFL concluded.  Taylor totaled 5.5 sacks in the playoffs and regular season with the Renegades. 

Taylor's performance was enough to earn a look from the Jaguars, and he'll have to prove he's at least a better situational pass rusher than several of the guys ahead of him on the list in order to stick around past August in Jacksonville. 

If Chaisson has improved and stood out as much as the coaching staff has claimed he has, then he should clearly be team's primary backup this fall.  It will also be interesting to see if his role increases should the team slide Walker inside at defensive tackle this fall as they've indicated they might try.  

Regardless, the battle should be particularly intense for the remaining spots.  If the Jaguars carry five outside linebackers/EDGE players on their initial 53-man roster like they did last year, then the players with the most upside as situational pass rushers will likely get the nod.  And the battle for those last two spots should be fun to watch. 

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