The Jaguars’ defensive end rotation is already taking shape, even if the real sorting-out won’t happen until training camp and the preseason. Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker are locked in at the top, but the more interesting question is who grabs the snaps behind them in a position group that is expected to stay heavily rotated.
That’s where the competition gets crowded. Wesley Williams, Zach Durfee, Danny Striggow and BJ Green are all in the mix for playing time, and linebackers Dennis Gardeck and Jalen McLeod can also slide over and rush off the edge. So this isn’t just about finding one backup - it’s about figuring out which players can consistently earn a weekly role in a group that could use four or five bodies.
One name to watch early is Striggow. John Shipley of Jaguars on SI pointed to the second-year defensive end as having the inside track to the No. 3 spot behind Hines-Allen and Walker. As Shipley put it, "I will add the caveat that I think second-year defensive end Danny Striggow has the inside track to the No. 3 defensive end spot behind Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker."
Shipley also described McLeod as a "real riser" during offseason work, especially as a pass rusher. That gives him a real path into the conversation as the Jaguars sort through their edge options.
Williams is another player drawing attention. Defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile appears high on him, and the team sees him as someone who can help in multiple ways. His value comes from being able to affect both the pass and the run, which is exactly the kind of profile that can keep a player on the field.
If you’re trying to map out how this might shake out, Striggow probably has the most experience of the true defensive ends in the mix, even if the margin is small. That, plus what he showed this spring, makes him a good bet to land a steady role. Williams also looks poised to be part of the regular rotation.
Beyond that, the Jaguars may want to get their mid-round pick involved, which could open the door for more snaps. Gardeck, McLeod and Green all seem capable of working into the mix as pass rushers too, with usage potentially depending on the matchup. But if the early pecking order holds, Striggow and Williams look like the first options off the bench.
In Other News...
Jaguars Camp Roster Reveals What This Quiet Offseason Was Really About
Jacksonvilles quiet offseason turns out to have been busy in a very specific way, with the team bringing 31 players onto the training camp roster and spreading those additions across just about every part of the depth chart. The mix says a lot about how the Jaguars approached the spring: 10 draft picks, 16 undrafted rookies and a handful of veteran signings, all aimed at creating competition at quarterback, running back, wide receiver, tight end, offensive line, defensive line, linebacker, cornerback and safety.
The first wave of outside additions was especially telling, with running back Chris Rodriguez joining the group as the lone outside free-agent pickup in that initial pass. For a roster that needed to be built out without much noise, the emphasis was on volume, flexibility and giving the coaching staff as many options as possible once camp opened. [Read more 🡒]
Jaguars Camp Battle Could Decide How Reliable This Line Really Is
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The appeal of the battle is that it may say as much about the line as it does about either player. Mekari brings a track record, but last season was uneven enough to leave room for doubt, and Milum has the profile of a young lineman who could force the issue if camp goes well. However it plays out, this is the kind of competition that could shape how dependable the Jaguars feel about the right side of their front. [Read more 🡒]
Jaguars Land A Win-Now Mock Draft That Changes Everything Around Trevor
A recent NFL.com mock draft took a very different approach to Jacksonvilles future, using only current NFL players and a win-now lens to map out what the roster could look like if the Jaguars were trying to accelerate the timeline around Trevor Lawrence. Chad Reuters seven-round exercise used the actual 2025 draft order with a snake format after the first round, and it gave Jacksonville an aggressive mix of help at quarterback, along the offensive line and across the skill positions.
The most eye-catching part was the way the board kept pushing proven talent toward Jacksonville, starting with Bo Nix in the first round and then layering on more immediate upgrades. The mock also had the Jaguars addressing the trenches with Creed Humphrey and adding names like Colston Loveland and Jakobi Meyers, but the pass-rush choice may be the one that really gets people talking, especially with Josh Hines-Allen already in the picture. [Read more 🡒]