3 Observations on the Jaguars Signing Former 49ers DT Arik Armstead

What do we think about the Jaguars' splash at defensive tackle?

The Jacksonville Jaguars made a big, big splash on Thursday, signing former San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Arik Armstead. 

Per Bleacher Report's Jordan Schultz, it is a three-year, $51 million deal, making Armstead the No. 14 defensive tackle in average annual value.

Armstead, who was drafted in the first round by Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke in San Francisco in 2015, has spent the last nine seasons with the 49ers.

Armstead only appeared in 12 regular season games last year due to injuries, though he still finished with five sacks and nearly 60 pressures.

But what do we make of the Jaguars' big move? We break it down below. 

Arik Armstead is the kind of move the Jaguars needed to make  

This is quite the momentum swing over the last 24 hours. This time yesterday, the Jaguars were facing the reality of losing their No. 1 receiver. Now, the Jaguars have added one of the best interior pass-rushers in football and greatly improved one of their biggest weaknesses. They didn't pay out the nose, either, considering how the defensive tackle market has blown up in recent years. Armstead has age (will turn 31 turning 2023 season) and injury questions (missed 13 games last two seasons), but he is as close to a blue-chip player as the Jaguars have signed in free agency under general manager Trent Baalke. 

The Jaguars needed to add to the talent level across the board. Armstead likely would have been the second- or third-best player on the 2023 squad, so he is exactly the type of upgrade the Jaguars needed to make to the upper level of their roster. Baalke has spent big in free agency on average players or role players in the past. This time, he spent big on a Pro Bowl-level player with consistent production and strong marks off the field. 

Why Travon Walker, Josh Allen are huge winners

The Jaguars had one of the most productive edge duos in 2023, with Josh Allen and Travon Walker combining for 27.5 sacks. Despite this, the Jaguars still finished bottom-10 in sacks as a team, largely the result of the Jaguars' interior defensive line failing to make an impact on passing downs. In Armstead, though, the Jaguars have their first proven interior pass-rusher since Calais Campbell was on the squad nearly five years ago. 

Arik Armstead as a pass rusher last year, per PFF:

No. 12 in pressures (58) and No. 9 in win rate (15.2).

Highest Jaguar DT in pressures ranked 28th. Highest Jaguars DT in win rate ranked 73.

— John Shipley (@_John_Shipley) March 14, 2024

Armstead has been a top-12 defensive tackle in terms of pressures and win-rate consistently throughout his career. While the gaudy sack numbers aren't there, it is fair to assume his sheer ability to generate pressure can make things easier for Allen and Walker, who both would have had even more sacks last year if they had any push up the middle. Quarterbacks could easily step up in the pocket against the Jaguars. Now, that should be a good bit tougher. 

What could this mean for the No. 17 pick?

It sure felt like a defensive lineman was in play for the Jaguars at No. 17 overall entering Thursday. While Baalke isn't exactly a needs-drafter in general, he rarely takes a player in the first round who isn't ready to make an impact right away. Before Armstead was signed, there was reason to believe a first-round defensive tackle would be able to see the field early on. Now, it is a bit tougher since Armstead is also joined by Roy Robertson-Harris and DaVon Hamilton. 

As of today, I believe the Jaguars will take the best cornerback available at No. 17. I could see edge rusher, and wide receiver makes some sense after losing Calvin Ridley as well. With that said, any edge rusher will be a backup in 2024 and the Jaguars could make the argument that they have three starters at receiver already in Gabe Davis, Christian Kirk, and Zay Jones.