2023 NFL Draft: Which EDGE/DL Fit Jaguars' GM Trent Baalke's Arm Length Threshold?

Trent Baalke has been a big advocate of length during his career as a general manager -- so which players fit his standards this year?

The Jacksonville Jaguars have a type. 

Looking back at the last two Jaguars' offseasons, each led in part by general manager Trent Baalke, the Jaguars have emphasized one thing over and over: length and size matter.

Just look at the 2022 NFL Draft class, with the Jaguars taking Travon Walker at No. 1 overall in part because he fit the physical bill more so than Michigan's Aidan Hutchinson. They talked about Devin Lloyd's length extensively after trading up from No. 33 to select him at No. 27. 

Baalke knows what he likes, and it is largely influenced by his time spent with NFL legend Bill Parcells at the start of his career. His history with the Jaguars, and as general manager of the San Francisco 49ers, has proven it.

"You want to look like an NFL football team. Size matters, at least for us and how we envision things. Getting off the bus is important. And we're looking for length. I think length over time has proven to be very successful in this league," Baalke told NBC's Pro Football Talk Live at this week's NFL Scouting Combine.

When looking at Baalke's past track record as a drafter (2011-2016, 2021-2022), it is clear to see where length factors in. Baalke has spent 14 picks on EDGE rushers or interior defensive linemen in that span. Of those 14, only two have had arms shorter than 33 inches. One was Kaleb Ramsey, a seventh-round pick, and the other was Jay Tufele, a fourth-round pick who was cut in year two.

Arm length of IDL Trent Baalke has picked as a GM

Quinton Dial: 34 1/2
Kaleb Ramsey: 32 7/8
Arik Armstead: 33
DeForest Buckner: 34 3/8
Jay Tufele: 32 1/2

— John Shipley (@_John_Shipley) March 3, 2023

"Well, length is important. It's not that guys with shorter arms or less length can't play the game. There's been plenty that have played it and played it at a high level, but it's certainly an asset if they use it to their full potential," Baalke said last year after selecting Walker. 

"He's extremely long, 35 plus arm length, 85 wingspan. The guy has got great length at a little bit over 6'5". If used properly, and he knows how to use it, it can be a great advantage for any player at any position, especially on the defensive side of the ball.

So with this in mind ... which prospects this year meet the 33-inch threshold, and which fall under it and may not be as high on the Jaguars' board? We break down the groups below. 

33 and over

• Jalen Carter: 33 1/2"
• Will Anderson Jr.: 33 7/8"
• Myles Murphy: 33 3/4"
• Tyree Wilson: 33 5/8"
• Lukas Van Ness: 34"
• Isaiah Foskey: 34"
• Felix Anudike-Uzomah: 33 1/2"
• B.J. Ojulari: 34 1/4"
• Derick Hall: 34 1/2"
• Andre Carter: 33 3/8"
• Zach Harrison: 36 1/4"
• Will McDonald IV: 34 7/8"
• Keeanu Benton: 33 7/8"
• Zacch Pickens: 34 3/8"
• Byron Young: 34 3/8"
• Moro Ojomo: 34 1/2"
• Mazi Smith: 33 3/4"
• Cameron Young: 34 1/2"
• Jerrod Clark: 33 3/4"
• Keion White: 34"
• Colby Wooden: 33 3/4"
• DJ Johnson: 35 1/4"
• Tyler Lacy: 33 1/4"
• Eku Leota: 33 1/2"
• Adetomiwa Adebawore: 33 7/8"
• Brenton Cox: 33 1/8"

With this in mind ... here are some notable players under 33"

• Bryan Bresee: 32 1/2"
  
• Nolan Smith: 32 5/8"
• Calijah Kancey: 30 5/8"
• Siaki Ika: 32 3/8"
• Tuli Tuipulotu: 32 1/4"
• Isaiah Land: 32 1/2"
• Gervon Dexter: 32 1/4"