Jaguars' Pass-Rush Ranked Among NFL's Biggest Remaining Roster Holes

With departures in free agency, the question is whether the Jaguars look for outside help or turn to young and developing contributors at outside linebacker.

The Jacksonville Jaguars have a roster that is gearing up for a potential Super Bowl run in 2023. The question is, can they stop the AFC's group of elite quarterbacks? 

From Patrick Mahomes to Joe Burrow to Justin Herbert to Lamar Jackson, the AFC has no shortage of young and athletic passers who can frustrate a defense for 60 minutes. That makes pass-rush a priority for any team that hopes to compete, especially the Jaguars. 

But after losing two veteran pass-rushers this offseason -- Arden Key in free agency to the Titans and Dawuane Smoot to an Achilles injury in a contract year -- the Jaguars have done little to address the pass-rush, instead falling back on internal options like Josh Allen, Travon Walker, K'Lavon Chaisson, Jordan Smith, and fifth-round rookie Yasir Abdullah.

As a result, the Jaguars' lack of movement after the losses of Key and Smoot has lead to some on the outside wondering if the Jaguars have enough pieces to go as far as they want in 2023. In a recent NFL.com ranking of the 10 biggest roster holes ahead of training camp, the Jaguars' edge rusher spot came in at No. 9.

"The Jaguars lost a chunk of their pass rush with Arden Key signing in Tennessee this offseason. To date, they haven't replaced his production with a veteran presence. Jacksonville is banking on 25-year-old Josh Allen returning to Pro Bowl form and 2022 No. 1 overall pick Travon Walker finding his footing after an up-and-down first season that saw him register 3.5 sacks," NFL.com wrote. 

"K'Lavon Chaisson, Jordan Smith and fifth-round rookie Yasir Abdullah are the top depth options. Coach Doug Pederson has noted the club could look to add a low-cost veteran later this summer to help round out the group. Jacksonville produced solid pressure last season, but tallied 35 just total sacks in 2022, tied for seventh-fewest. To take the next step in 2023, the Jags' defense needs to go from getting pressure to getting the QB on the ground."

No pass-rusher was more efficient for the Jaguars in 2022 than Key. While playing mostly as a rotational player and sub-package edge rusher, Key led the Jaguars' defensive line and edge rushers in pass-rush win-rate and was second on the team in pressures and quarterback hits despite not being an every-down player. 

When injuries hit, it was Key who stepped up. And before him, it was the still-unsigned Smoot. Until the Jaguars prove they have the replacements for either of them, then their lack of action on the free agency market will continue to draw attention.

"Listen, you also can't just jump at the first thing that's there and obviously somebody has to fit your roster and fit your structure financially and all of that," Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson said last weeK.

"But there's going to be guys probably going into training camp, there's going to be guys coming out of training camp that we'll take a look at. But those are all things for conversations for down the road and we've been pleased with the guys that are here and been working and we just got to get them better and ready to go."