Jaguars DC Mike Caldwell says #1 overall pick Travon Walker will play OLB in the team's new defense, according to John Reid of the Florida Times-Union. "I think his best position is outside linebacker because of his length, his athletic ability going against tackles," Caldwell said. "That is a premium position in this defense. He can play other positions, but his home for us is outside linebacker, where we see him being a force." The knee-jerk response might be to question why Jacksonville would play the 275-pounder at LB rather than DE. But in highlighting Walker's matchup with OTs, Caldwell signals that this will be more of an EDGE position than a traditional off-ball LB. We'll see how it plays out, of course, but we'd bet on Walker looking more like Von Miller did for Denver early in his career or Micah Parsons for last year's Cowboys -- in terms of how he's deployed. That said, we remain hesitant to count on Walker for big numbers. Playing LB will also limit his fantasy value on sites that still rely on traditional LB/DE splits with their position designations.
The Jaguars selected Chad Muma in Round 3 of the NFL Draft, the 2nd LB they have chosen thus far. Muma sported above-average speed in pre-draft testing, at 6'3, 237 pounds. He also delivered strong production last season: 142 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 3 INTs and 2 defensive TDs. He hits a Jacksonville defense that threw money at LB Foye Oluokun in free agency and then added LB Devin Lloyd in Round 1. So early playing time figures to be scant.
Jacksonville traded up to Tampa Bay's 27th pick to select LB Devin Lloyd. The former Utah stud delivered big numbers over the past 3 years, including reps both from the edge and off the ball. Lloyd racked up 43 tackles for loss, 15.5 sacks, 5 INTs and 8 passes defensed over 3 seasons as a Utes starter. The 6'3, 237-pounder should quickly join free-agent addition Foye Oluokun in the starting lineup. He's a bit old for an incoming rookie -- already 23.5 -- but there's plenty of immediate IDP upside.
The Jaguars chose EDGE Travon Walker with the 1st pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Walker posted limited production in college, averaging just 0.33 sacks and 0.45 tackles for loss per game across 29 contests at Georgia. He does play the run well, but Jacksonville is clearly buying on the athleticism. Walker delivered a phenomenal 4.51-second 40-yard dash at 272 pounds, a 98th-percentile speed score for the position. We’ll see whether he can turn that promise into NFL production, but we’re a little wary about overpaying for him in dynasty rookie drafts.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the Jaguars will be signing CB Darious Williams to a 3-year, $39 million deal. Williams spent most of the past 2 seasons starting for the Rams. After snagging 4 INTs and tallying 14 passes defensed in 2020, he went without a pick in 14 games last season -- navigating around injury. Williams should be IDP relevant in Jacksonville but doesn't look like a high-level factor.
The Jaguars are hiring Doug Pederson as their next HC, according to multiple reports. Pederson, of course, spent 5 seasons at the helm in Philadelphia. He piloted the Eagles to a 13-3 record and Super Bowl victory in his 2nd season and finished with a 42-37-1 record (including a 4-11-1 final season). Philly's offenses ranked 14th or lower in yards in 4 of Pederson's 5 seasons and 16th or lower in scoring in 3 of 5 years. We'll see how he fills out the rest of the staff and what that staff has to say about the returning players. We'll also see whether Jacksonville retains free-agent WR D.J. Chark.
The Jaguars on Friday placed CB Shaq Griffin on the COVID list. They also activated DE Josh Allen, LB Myles Jack and LB Damien Wilson, among others.
Jaguars LB Myles Jack tested positive for COVID on Sunday morning and will miss today's game against the Jets. That leaves Damien Wilson as the lead LB for today's upside matchup with the Jets. In the lone full game Jack has missed so far this year, Wilson collected a season-high 12 tackles. Wilson has climbed our Week 16 IDP rankings.
Jaguars DE Josh Allen has tested positive for COVID. That will knock him out for Sunday's game against the Jets.
Jaguars S Rayshawn Jenkins will miss the rest of the season after breaking his right ankle in Sunday’s loss to Houston. The replacement plan isn’t immediately clear. Daniel Thomas and rookie Andre Cisco both saw a big jump in playing time after Jenkins left Sunday. If they’ll be tag-teaming the fill-in role, then neither will make sense for IDP use
The Jaguars have ruled CB Shaq Griffin out for the 2nd straight game because of his concussion. Nevin Lawson has filled in for him.
Jaguars CB Tyson Campbell (toe) and DT Davon Hamilton (shoulder) are active for today's game at Seattle.
Jaguars HC Urban Meyer said Monday that he expects to have LB Myles Jack (back) and rookie CB Tyson Campbell (toe) back on the field after the team's Week 7 bye.
Jaguars rookie CB Tyson Campbell (toe) is inactive for today's game against the Dolphins. Jacksonville will also be without LB Myles Jack, who is out with a back injury. Jack's absence boosts the IDP upside for LB Damien Wilson.
Jaguars LB Myles Jack left Sunday's game against the Titans with a back injury and did not return. We'll watch for Monday updates on his status.
Jaguars rookie CB Tyson Campbell is inactive for today's game against the Titans.
The Jaguars on Monday activated DE/OLB Josh Allen from the COVID list. That comes 7 days after he landed on it, indicating that Allen never tested positive. He should be good to go for the regular-season opener.
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