With training camp only days away, the Jaguars’ defensive tackle group already has a few clear pressure points, and most of them circle back to the newcomers.
The biggest name in that mix is Ruke Orhorhoro, the third-year defensive tackle Jacksonville picked up in a trade for fellow former second-rounder Maason Smith. Orhorhoro arrived after a stint with the Atlanta Falcons that included flashes, but not the steady week-to-week production that comes with being a true difference-maker. Now he gets a reset in Jacksonville, and the Jaguars are banking on that fresh start to matter.
How much he gives them right away could shape the way this entire interior line looks compared to a year ago. The Jaguars are clearly hoping Orhorhoro can bring more to the pass rush than they got from their defensive tackle depth last season. The question is whether he becomes a meaningful part of the rotation quickly or settles in as a smaller piece.
That matters because Jacksonville did not make a huge splash at the position, but it did add several new bodies. The team also brought back Matt Dickerson in March, and there are undrafted free agents in the mix as well. Still, the roster math points in a pretty specific direction: Arik Armstead, DaVon Hamilton, Ruke Orhorhoro, and third-round pick Albert Regis look like the four defensive tackle spots most likely to be spoken for.
That leaves little room for a sleeper to break through, though Dickerson would seem to have the best shot. The Jaguars kept him around for a reason. He was a useful rotational piece a year ago, but he now has to fight the numbers to hold onto his place.
Regis is another key piece to watch. Jacksonville used the No. 81 pick on him in April, which tells you plenty about how the team views him. He is expected to step in as the backup nose tackle behind longtime starter DaVon Hamilton, but the real question is how much more he can handle as a rookie.
That role may be limited, and it may be a two-down job, but training camp will tell the story. If Regis can give the Jaguars 250-ish solid snaps, that would be a win.
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For a team trying to sharpen the bottom of the roster, the real intrigue is in how those last few jobs get awarded. A few names stand out as serious contenders in the mix, including a tight end battle that could come down to blocking and coverage work, while the defensive line picture also has a familiar depth piece trying to hold his ground after flashing last season. The Jaguars may have most of their 53 already mapped out, but camp should still be plenty unforgiving for anyone living on the edge. [Read more 🡒]
Jaguars Camp Could Decide Whether This Young Edge Can Fix A Need
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Anthony Campanile has already noticed the kind of habits teams want from a developing edge rusher, praising Williams for the way he works and learns. For Jacksonville, the bigger question is whether that early impression carries over once the pads come on and the competition gets real, because this is the sort of camp battle that can quietly shape a defensive need. [Read more 🡒]