NFL Draft 2020: Jaguars look to reload pass rush with K’Lavon Chaisson

The Jacksonville Jaguars are likely losing two of their top three pass rushers from last season. They trade defense again with LSU’s K’Lavon Chaisson.

The Jacksonville Jaguars made their first pick of the first round addressing their huge secondary need with cornerback C.J. Henderson. The Jaguars were able to acquire a second first-round pick from the Los Angeles Rams after trading away disgruntled cornerback Jalen Ramsey.

With the 20th overall pick, the Jaguars took their other biggest need on the defensive side of the ball in LSU Tigers outside linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson.

The Jaguars needed to take a young pass rusher to help fill in the void of defensive end Calais Campbell, who was traded to the Ravens. Campbell accounted for 10 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks this past season for the Jaguars.

The Jaguars are also looking to move on from disgruntled defensive end Yannick Ngakoue but are still having trouble finding a trade partner for him. Last season, Ngakoue accounted for 13 tackles for loss and eight sacks.

The Jaguars are going to lose two of their top three pass rushers from last season on a defense that was tied for seventh in the league in sacks accounted for (47). Chaisson is a player that can get to the quarterback from the linebacker spot. Last season for the national title-winning LSU Tigers, Chaisson accounted for 13.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks.

His quick burst off the ball, flexibility, speed and great motor make him a difficult pass rusher to contain. He is also a great zone coverage player from the linebacker spot, which is something that the Jaguars needed significantly.

There will be areas that Chaisson will need to improve on including arm length extension, reading the offensive line pulls, using hands efficiently when facing offensive linemen in pass-rush situations. There are also some questions on his health and durability as he tore his ACL in the first game of the 2018 college football season.

Grade: A-

The Jaguars have two great young outside linebackers who have different play styles in Chaisson and Josh Allen. Jacksonville will look to recover with the players that want to play within a system that can benefit and create a much more efficient rush defense. Last season, the Jaguars were ranked 28th in the league in rushing yards allowed per game (139.3).