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James Gladstone addresses glaring need Jaguars must still tackle
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- James Gladstone addresses glaring need Jaguars must still tackle
Among the biggest needs for the Jacksonville Jaguars to address this offseason is along the defensive line.
Both depth at both the defensive end and tackle positions are needed, as is more pass rush consistency, particularly from the interior defensive line.
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While the Jaguars boasted the NFL's stingiest run defense last season, the Jaguars ranked 18th in pressure rate and 27th in sacks.
Through the first wave of NFL free agency, the Jaguars have yet to add to their defensive front. GM James Gladstone recently discussed a major reason behind the Jaguars' quiet start to free agency . He also highlighted the Jaguars' efforts to bolster their pass rush this offseason.
"I think that's going to be an ongoing process where we're continuing to map out how we can level up," Gladstone said on Thursday, "and that's a pairing of personnel and scheme, and also the back end being tied to the pass rush plans. And continuing to ensure that we're able to stop the run at such a high tick like we were last year, without diluting that element, but still improving the pass rush. So that's a fun piece this offseason to try to really map out."
To Gladstone's point, there are contributing factors that can help faciliate a more productive pass rush. The Jaguars continuing to have a strong run game will be important because stopping the run then puts the opposing offense in obvious passing situations, where the pass rush can pin its ears back.
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In an effort to get more pass rush productivity, the Jaguars don't want to sacrifice their play against the run.
In addition to that, the play on the back-end can benefit the defensive front as well. Of course, being sticky in coverage forces the quarterback to hold the ball longer, but Anthony Campanile disguising coverages or throwing different looks at the offense can cause chaos and benefit the pass rush.
Those elements -- the pass rush and the coverage in the secondary -- have to go hand-in-hand and work in unison.
With that said, while all of that matters and can contribute to more productivity up front, Gladstone still must add to the defensive end and defensive tackle units. More competition behind Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker is required, as is more pass-rush juice, in general, from the tackle position.
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Finding instant help in free agency is becoming more difficult, but Jacksonville does have 11 draft picks, including four in the top 100. Some of those early-round selections should go to addressing the defensive front. After all, the name of the game is affecting the quarterback.
This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: NFL free agency: James Gladstone weighs in on Jaguars' pass rush
