Former Jaguars First-Round Pick K'Lavon Chaisson Signs With Panthers

The former No. 20 overall pick is heading to the NFC.

Former Jacksonville Jaguars first-round pick K'Lavon Chaisson has signed with the Carolina Panthers, per multiple reports. 

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Chaisson signed a one-year, $5 million deal. His time with the Jaguars ends after four seasons, with the No. 20 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft now landing with the same team that also brought in ex-Jaguars CJ Henderson, Laviska Shenault, and DJ Chark.

Source: The #Panthers add a pass-rusher again, signing former #Jaguars edge K’Lavon Chaisson to a 1-year, $5M max deal. The former first-rounder finds a new home. pic.twitter.com/2Qjlt2xDTH

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 15, 2024

In four years with the Jaguars, Chaisson started 11 games and appeared in 57. He recorded five sacks, which included a career-high two sacks in 2023. Across four seasons, he also recorded 73 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 23 quarterback hits, and two pass deflections.

Chaisson started three games as a rookie, playing 51% of the defensive snaps and recording one sack and nine quarterback hits. He saw his snaps decline in 2021, playing 39% of the snaps and recording one sack and four quarterback hits in 15 games. 

Chaisson only played nine games in 2022 as a result of injures, playing just 18% of the snaps and recording one sack and two quarterback hits as players like Dawuane Smoot and Arden Key took on a larger share of pass-rush snaps.

Chaisson saw his role increase in 2023 as Smoot recovered from an Achilles injury and Key moved on to the Tennessee Titans in free agency. This resulted in Chaission playing 25% of the snaps and recording two sacks and eight quarterback hits in 17 games. 

Now, Chaisson will move on and the Jaguars will put the 2020 class firmly behind them. Of 12 players selected in 2020, only DaVon Hamilton and Daniel Thomas remain in 2024.