Jaguars Midseason Awards: Who Earns Honors on Jacksonville’s Defense?
Well, Week 9 is almost here. The Jacksonville Jaguars are officially halfway through their 2019 season and in a few days, the second half of the season will have begun.
The last eight weeks have been some of the most eventful in team history: from prized free agent quarterback Nick Foles going down with a clavicle injury after only two possessions, to Jalen Ramsey, one of the franchise's marquee players, essentially forcing his way out of town via trade. There has been no shortage of storylines.
The abundance of storylines is likely to continue over the second half of the season, too. Foles will return from the team's reserve/injured list soon and head coach Doug Marrone will have to decide to start either him or rookie phenom Gardner Minshew as Jaguars compete for an AFC South division championship.
Yesterday we examined Jacksonville's offense and determined who established themself at the midseason. Today, we shift gears and look at the defense.
Defensive MVP: D.J. Hayden.
This was a tough one because you can make an argument for several players. Ronnie Harrison has created a ton of turnovers while Calais Campbell and Josh Allen have wrecked offensive lines all season, but Hayden earns the nod here for his steady play since Week 1. He has proven to be Jacksonville's most dependable player on the defense this season, bringing consistency and physicality as a run defender, blitzer and in pass coverage. His play in the slot has been vital to Jacksonville's defensive improvement the last three weeks, and for his steadiness and playmaking ability, he gets the award here.
Top Defensive Lineman: Calais Campbell.
Like Hayden, Campbell has been the epitome of consistent for the vast majority of the season. After a middling first two games of the season, Campbell has came on strong as both a run and pass defender, collecting 4.5 sacks, 14 QB hits and six tackles for loss. He has not appeared to lose a single step thus far as his power and quickness both look to be as effective as ever, and his play has helped elevate the play of those around him.
Top Defensive Rookie: Josh Allen.
The seventh overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft has met every single expectation for Jacksonville so far in 2019. Through eight games he is tied with the rookie lead in sacks with 7 and has also tacked on 12 QB hits, eight tackles for loss and two forced fumbles. He is making a strong case to compete for defensive rookie of the year alongside San Francisco 49ers defensive end Joey Bosa, as both have been nothing short of terrific. Allen particularly has impressed with his development of counter moves as a pass rusher as well as his strength at the power of attack as a run defender.
Most Improved Defensive Player: Taven Bryan.
We know, we know. Another defensive lineman. But no player on the Jaguars roster, let alone the defense, has developed as much as 2018 first-round pick Taven Bryan has. He has already either matched or exceeded every production figure compared to his rookie season, and he has passed the eye test as well. He didn't look like a player who was even capable of handling a backup role in 2018, but in 2019 he has been consistently disruptive and has earned the right to see the field more and more.
Top Defensive Coach: Tim Walton.
Secondary coach Tim Walton deserves a lot of credit for what he has done with Jacksonville's secondary, especially since he lost his best player when All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey was traded to the Los Angeles Rams a few weeks ago, and since Ramsey didn't even play for the team in the final weeks he was here. Instead, Walton has worked with a secondary that is starting three players who are in their first season as starters in cornerback Tre Herndon and safeties Jarrod Wilson and Ronnie Harrison. The unit has really gelled over the last several weeks, and Walton deserves a lot of credit for that.
Defensive Play of the Midseason: Yannick Ngakoue takes it to the house.
Everything about this play was terrific. From the Taven Bryan pressure to the read by Ngakoue, who then took it the rest of the way to ice the game with a touchdown. Just a complete defensive effort.