Jaguars State of the Roster: Defensive Line

What do we make of the Jaguars defensive line heading into free agency?

The complexion of the NFL is set to change at 4 p.m. on March 13. Once the clock hits the top of the hour, the new league year will begin and teams can officially sign free agents.

Until then, we are going to take a look at the Jaguars' roster position by position.

Next up: defensive line. 

Under Contract

Foley Fatukasi

Age: 28

Experience: 6 seasons/75 appearances/52 starts

2023 Production: 24 combined tackles, 16 solo tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 1 pass defended

It’s hard to say that Fatukasi has had a successful two years in Jacksonville. After a 2022 season that showed glaring issues as a run defender but still featured 1.5 sacks and 3 passes defended, Fatukasi contributed far less as a pass defender in 2023.

That being said, Pro Football Focus graded him at a 61.0. That’s not impressive, but it’s a considerable step up from the 44.5 he received in 2022. The likely reason for that was that Fatukasi was marginally better in run defense. He upped his TFL and solo tackle totals in 2023 while playing fewer snaps (415) than he did in 2022 (447).

After two mediocre-at-best seasons, Fatukasi is entering the final year of his contract and will count as a $12.8 million cap hit. Releasing him into the free agency pool would save $8 million due to his salary and bonuses not being guaranteed.

Otherwise, Jacksonville can let him play out the final year of the deal or extend him to bring that cap hit down.

Roy Robertson-Harris

Age: 30

Experience: 7 seasons/100 appearances/60 starts

2023 Production: 34 combined tackles, 16 solo tackles, 3.5 sacks, 3 tackles for loss, 1 pass defended

RRH continues to be a consistent presence for the Jaguars interior defensive line as he enters his fourth season in Jacksonville. He set a career-best with 3.5 sacks in 2023, although he totaled 3 sacks in each of the seasons before in 2021 and 2022.

His impact outside of pressuring the QB somewhat faltered, though. Despite playing just 31 less snaps, he had 12 fewer solo tackles than in 2022 and four fewer TFLs. Robertson-Harris contributed significantly, but his drop in tackles at the line of scrimmage feels representative of the Jaguars’ issues defending the run.

RRH still has three years left on his current deal, which will count as a $4.8 million cap hit in 2024. Most of that is guaranteed, so there’s very little reason for the Jaguars to consider cutting or moving Robertson-Harris at the current juncture.

DaVon Hamilton

Age: 27

Experience: 4 seasons/52 appearances/30 starts

2023 Production: 12 combined tackles, 7 solo tackles, 1 tackle for loss

There’s no question that Hamilton’s 2023 campaign was a disappointment. Over his first three seasons in Jacksonville, he was a feature player on the defense, but a back abscess completely wrecked this past season.

In fact, there isn’t that much from his 8 appearances to discuss. He played just 190 snaps, and looked far from 100% when he was able to hit the field. That being said, there’s still plenty of room for optimism when you consider his 2022 season.

The Jaguars will be hanging on that hope going into 2023, especially considering his contract situation. Jacksonville handed him a $34.5 million contract going into 2023. It’s mostly back loaded, as $31 million of that contract hasn’t been paid out yet. Hamilton’s contract will bring a $5.66 million cap hit in 2024.

Free Agents

Jeremiah Ledbetter

Age: 29

Experience: 5 seasons/38 appearances/2 starts

2023 Production: 24 combined tackles, 7 solo tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 pass defended, 1 fumble recovered

2023 was a milestone year for Ledbetter, as he made the first two starts of his NFL career after first entering the league in 2017. He also set career bests in every tackle statistic and also registered the first pass defended of his career.

Doing all this after first signing to the Jaguars’ practice squad in 2021 is quite the come up. Heading into 2024, Jacksonville could legitimately consider bringing Ledbetter back as he only cost them $1 million in 2023. But he could also look for a more consistent opportunity elsewhere after doing well in a small role.

Angelo Blackson

Age: 31

Experience: 9 seasons/128 appearances/42 starts.

2023 Production: 13 combined tackles, 8 solo tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 3 fumbles recovered.

The most experienced defensive tackle on the roster in 2023, Blackson was added on a one-year deal in late August. Blackson rotated around the defensive line and ended up playing 30% of the team’s defensive snaps.

There’s not a whole lot to say about Blackson’s 2023 campaign, although the two TFLs and three recoveries stand out. Going into 2024, the Jaguars could have brought him back on a similar deal ($1.2 million or so) or let him play his 10th season elsewhere. Considering nothing has come of that yet, it feels like the latter option.