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NFL Combine: Jacksonville Jaguars want 'explosive' defender, hold No. 5 overall pick
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- NFL Combine: Jacksonville Jaguars want 'explosive' defender, hold No. 5 overall pick
INDIANAPOLIS — Jacksonville Jaguars general manager James Gladstone didn't mince words when asked about his expectations for the team's defense moving forward.
Gladstone described his vision for the team's defense as "explosive and urgent" when he met with reporters at the NFL Combine on Tuesday .
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While it isn't clear exactly what that looks like — and won't be until at least training camp — one thing was made clear: "It'll certainly be a shift from what our fans probably saw last year," said Gladstone.
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The shift in philosophy comes during a turning point within the franchise, now fronted by new leaders including executive vice president of football operations Tony Boselli, head coach Liam Coen and Gladstone, the team's wunderkind general manager.
This week will be the first the franchise will get an opportunity to dive into both free agency and the NFL Draft, looking to determine where to improve the team.
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Gladstone emphasized the team's gluttony of draft picks over the next two seasons. Currently, the Jaguars have 20 picks over the next two years, 10 in 2025 and 2026. That'll give Jacksonville some flexibility to move around in the draft or acquire players for the future.
They currently hold the fifth-overall pick in this year's draft and could use it to upgrade multiple positions, particularly on defense.
On Wednesday, multiple potential Jaguars prospects spoke to the media at the NFL Combine, including projected top-ten picks, Penn State defensive lineman Abdul Carter , Georgia DL Mykell Williams and Michigan DL Mason Graham .
When asked Tuesday about what he looks for in a defensive prospect, Gladstone emphasized disruption.
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"I think the ability to create disruption is, above all else most important and that type of chaos, it makes it hard for an offensive operation," said Gladstone. "I lean into that more than just about anything, and I think the combination of urgency and explosiveness is something that I certainly prefer."
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Note: Nearly all prospects will meet with all teams in some capacity at the Combine.
Michigan DL Mason Graham views himself as a 'complete' defensive lineman
Michigan defensive lineman Mason Graham (55) celebrates a play against Ohio State during the second half at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024.
One of the prospects the Jaguars will likely keep an eye on, Michigan's Mason Graham said Wednesday that he has met with the Jaguars and enjoyed bumping into former Michigan defensive analyst Kelvin Wilkins, now with Jacksonville as the team's assistant linebackers coach.
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"Great organization, obviously new staff, new GM, so good meeting those guys. Thought the meeting went well," he said of his visit with Jacksonville.
Graham is ranked fourth on NFL Media Daniel Jeremiah's big board, and third on Mel Kiper's board at this point in the NFL Draft process.
At Michigan, Graham totaled 108 total tackles, nine sacks and 18 tackles for loss in three years.
Among qualifying pass rushers on the interior of the defensive line, Graham ranked 8th in pass-rush grade with 34 total pressures (10th), finishing seventh in pass-rush win percentage at 13.8%, according to Pro Football Focus in 2024.
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His run defense grade of 92.6 ranks the best among all defensive linemen. He finished the year with 25 stops.
Graham, 6-foot-3, 320 pounds, feels he is one of the best players in the draft and believes he can be a dominant player at the next level.
"I feel like I affect every snap, run or pass. I feel like a dominant player, one of the most dominant players in this class," Graham said when asked about being a "game wrecker" as a defensive tackle.
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The Jaguars could be in the market for Graham's services. The team was one of the worst run defenses in the NFL last year, ranked 24th, giving up 132.6 rushing yards per game. The team was also the worst pass defense, giving up 257.4 yards per game.
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Penn State DL/LB Abdul Carter believes he's the best player in the NFL Draft
Nov 30, 2024; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; (Editors Notes: Caption Correction) Penn State Nittany Lions defensive end Abdul Carter (11) reacts after sacking Maryland Terrapins quarterback MJ Morris (not pictured) during the first quarter at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images
It's tough to see Carter falling to fifth overall , but the Jaguars have had some luck in the past when it comes to explosive pass rushers falling to them (see: Josh Hines-Allen , 2019 NFL Draft).
There's no question that Carter checks all the boxes Gladstone likely looks for. He's explosive, plays with tenacity and urgency and can disrupt the offensive backfield with ease.
On Wednesday, he didn't mince words when asked about his talent level and if he should be considered the first pick in this year's draft.
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"I feel like it's very realistic. I feel like I'm the best player in the country and the best player should be selected No. 1." said Carter, previously noting that it was one of the goals he had entering this season.
"I feel like I'm getting close to that. Just got to keep working, keep putting the effort in and accomplish my dream," he added.
On the field this year, Carter was unstoppable. He finished the year with 24 tackles for loss, the most in the country last year and 12 sacks on the year, eclipsing his combined freshman (6.5) and sophomore (4.5) year totals.
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He was a unanimous All-American and the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in 2024.
"I think I bring energy, effort, versatility. I feel like when the biggest moments come around, that's when I play at my best," he said when asked to describe his play style.
Carter said that he has meetings set up with the Jaguars when asked if he met with and plans to meet with Jacksonville and Las Vegas .
"All good impressions from me. I feel like they [are] really interested in me. I'm interested in them. All good impressions so far," he said.
At 6-foot-3, 248 pounds, some questioned Carter's size to compete at the highest level. He doesn't have any trepidation about his size, though.
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"I ain't never been too small for nothing my whole life. It's all about heart for me. It's all about will for me, and I got more than that than anybody," he said.
Carter is expected to be picked with the first-overall pick, but if Jacksonville can find a way to land him, they should.
Georgia DL Mykel Williams leans in on Travon Walker comparisons, versatility
Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker (11) and Georgia defensive lineman Mykel Williams (13) take down Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers (3) during the second half of the SEC championship game against Texas in Atlanta, on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024.
The Jaguars have been here before and if former GM Trent Baalke was still here, Georgia defensive lineman Mykell Williams could have been the pick at fifth-overall, pairing him with former No. 1 pick Travon Walker, potentially forcing Walker inside.
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That still could happen, but Williams' versatility could be more important than simply moving Walker around. In reality, both players could be used as chess pieces until if and when they find their home on the team's defensive line.
Gladstone, at his stop in Los Angeles , alongside GM Les Snead hasn't shied away from investing in defensive linemen even with capable players already installed. In 2023, the team selected Byron Young who finished his rookie season with a team-high eight sacks. Last year, the Rams drafted defensive end Jared Verse in the first round, circling back to his teammate, defensive tackle Braden Fiske in the second round.
The investment in defensive linemen makes sense for Jacksonville, too, as Gladstone and head coach Liam Coen have emphasized a need to stabilize the team's offensive and defensive lines.
During his media availability at the Combine on Wednesday, Williams acknowledged the comparison to Walker, but said the two are individual players.
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"It's a great comparison, but I ain't really think much of it. He's himself, I'm myself. Both of us got to go out there and perform the same. So, I really ain't invest too much into it," Williams said.
"Travon is special because how big he was and how fast he moves. He's very position versatile, like myself I'm very position versatile. So, that's where I think that comparison comes from. But, that's what made him special, how he moves, the things he can do with his size," he added.
Walker has quickly become one of the most dominant players on defense with Jacksonville. He's posted back-to-back double-digit sack seasons. Williams could be another player added to the arsenal that Gladstone wants to build.
At Georgia, Williams played three seasons, totaling 14 sacks, including five sacks last year while playing through a season-long ankle injury.
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Williams said at the Combine that he was never 100%, and really was "below 60%" all season. Now, he's the healthiest he's been.
He said "We gonna see" when asked what a 100% Williams would look like.
He added that his position versatility and his size stand out as reasons why he will be successful at the next level.
At 6-foot-5, 265 pounds, Williams has a size almost exactly similar to Walker. His position versatility makes him an intriguing option no matter who the team already has.
Demetrius Harvey is the Jacksonville Jaguars reporter for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @Demetrius82 or on Bluesky @ Demetrius .
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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: NFL Combine: Jacksonville Jaguars want defensive 'disruption' in draft
