As the Jaguars gear up for the 2025 NFL Draft, we turn our attention to the defense and special teams units for part 2 of our roster evaluation. The defensive side of the ball has a blend of untapped potential, veteran leadership, and unresolved questions. Some pieces are already in place like star EDGE duo Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen – But the defense is still lacking surrounding pieces as well as a clear identity. With 10 draft picks and a new scheme, there’s real potential for immediate growth and rapid improvement. Meanwhile, the special teams unit has quietly remained a strength. Led by standout kicker Cam Little, long snapper Ross Matiscik, and veteran punter Logan Cooke, this unit is in a good place to build off last year’s impressive campaign. Lets explore where things stand now and what directions the Jaguars can look for help in this year’s draft.
Be sure to follow my coverage of all things Jaguars and NFL on X @JagsRealist.
EDGE
LE1– Travon Walker
Walker has continued his positive ascension and development year over year and looks to only be getting better. Now entering the beginning of his prime – off the heels of back to back double digit sack seasons- look for Walker to take the next step as a pass rusher and flourish to new heights in this new defensive scheme.
RE1– Josh Hines-Allen
Hines-Allen had an incredible 2023 season but had a slight dip in counting stats last year. He has proven throughout his career to be one of the best pass rushers in the game, look for that ability to be fully utilized and on display in this new defensive scheme.
EDGE Depth
Myles Cole; Yasir Abdullah
Both of these players have struggled to find their footing in the NFL with neither recording a sack yet in their careers. Between Cole’s length and Abdullah’s college resume there may be room for development but they need to display that now before time runs out on their opportunity.
State of the Position
Walker and Hines-Allen combine to form one of the best EDGE duos in the league. Outside of the 2 stars there is no other edge rusher who has proven they can be trusted to play meaningful snaps. Look for the Jaguars to add to this room in the draft.
Level of Need and Potential Investment
- No starter needed but depth needed badly
- Investments range from Day 1 (Carter/Walker) to Day 3 – Prediction Round 3/4
Defensive Tackles
DT1– Arik Armstead
Armstead is coming off arguably his worst year as a pro from an on field production standpoint. Whether this drop-off was age related or due to poor usage by the previous coaching staff is yet to be seen. If Armstead can return to form he would immediately be a difference maker for this defensive line unit that struggled mightily last year.
DT2– Maason Smith
Early on Smith got caught in a power struggle between disgruntled former members of leadership Trent Baalke and Doug Pederson. This power struggle resulted in Smith’s development being halted at times as he was not placed on the active roster. When Smith was on the field he was dynamic and showed flashes of game changing ability up the middle of the defensive line. Look for the new staff to lean on him more and try to maximize the former second round picks talent.
DT3– Davon Hamilton
Hamilton has had a tough 2 years for Jacksonville. After dealing with a mysterious back injury that greatly affected his play in 2023 he returned near full strength in 2024 to garner better results but still nowhere near having the positive effect he was having prior to the 2023 injury. Now 2 years removed from this injury and with the addition of both a new coaching staff and new strength staff, there is hope Hamilton can get back to the 2022 form that got him paid.
DT4- Jordan Jefferson
This J. Jefferson from LSU does not quite have the effect as the one that wears purple and gold but alas, there is hope for Jordan Jefferson to develop into a rotational interior defensive lineman. Jefferson was widely pronounced as a reach when the selection was made last year and he unfortunately did not do much to prove the doubters wrong in year 1. He has shown some flashes in his career which the new staff will try to maximize.
DT5– Tyler Lacy
Lacy is coming off a season where he started 8 games with underwhelming results. He is a solid run stuffer and still has pass rush upside with his unrelenting motor but he will need to up his game to remain in the rotation and on this roster.
State of the Position
This room is certainly a weak point and a spot you can expect a player to be added. Armstead and Hamilton have been on downward trajectories while the potential of Smith, Jefferson and Lacy are all untapped and unknown.
Level of Need and Potential Investment
- Starter level player needed
- Investments range from Day 1 (Graham) to Day 3 – Prediction Round 2/3
Linebackers
LB1 (MIKE) – Foyesade Oluokun
“Foye” has been the model of consistency since his arrival in Jacksonville. He is the leader of the defense and is best when at his natural MIKE position calling the shots. Foye – like many others- played out of position a lot last year in an often mismanaged Ryan Nielsen scheme. A return to the middle paired with a new competent scheme should set him and this defense up for much more success this upcoming season.
LB1 (WILL) – Devin Lloyd
Lloyd is at a pivotal point in his young career. He has been up and down throughout his career with incredibly great high moments and incredibly bad low moments. Learning to play consistent and in position will do wonders for Lloyd and could ultimately be the decider in whether he remains in Jacksonville after this year or not. There is a wide array of outcomes for Lloyd but the potential to be a game changing linebacker is still there and that is what the new staff must look to unlock.
LB2– Ventrell Miller
Miller got his first taste of NFL action this year after missing his true rookie season due to injury. He was a pleasant surprise making plays whenever given the opportunity. After racking up 80 tackles in only 9 starts, he at the very least proved he can be a great depth linebacker. Miller still has a lot of work to do in coverage but his sideline to sideline ability in the run game was on full display last year. Don’t be surprised if Miller earns a larger role on this defense next year.
LB3- Chad Muma
After a solid rookie season, Muma has not been able to put the pieces together to become a full time player on the defense. Relegated to mostly special teams action and injury insurance, the days of hoping Muma can be a starter may be behind us. But sometimes all it takes is a new staff to get things clicking and maybe that will be the case for Muma.
State of the Position
The linebacker room has their 2 locked in starters for this year but the water is murky beyond that. Lloyd’s 5th year option remains untouched and Foye has a team out after this year, meaning the future of the linebacker room can look very different than it does now. An uncertain future and lack of substantial depth may result in this position being selected earlier than some think.
Level of Need and Potential Investment
- Depth Player with starter potential would raise the overall level of the group as well as provide more options for the future
- Investment ranges from Day 1 (Walker) to Day 3 – Prediction Round 4/5
Cornerbacks
CB1– Tyson Campbell
“Health is wealth!” – Campbell needs to find a way to stay healthy. The last 2 seasons have been completely barred by injury for Campbell, preventing him from gaining any momentum as the season goes on – as he did in his career 2022 season. Campbell has all the traits to be a truly elite corner and hopefully a new strength and conditioning staff as well as new scheme give him the opportunity to stay on the field and play his best ball yet.
CB2/NB2/DB- Jarrian Jones
Jones was a revelation in the slot last year for Jacksonville. He made countless plays and was one of the only consistently good players on the Jaguars struggling defense last season. This year with the addition of slot corner Jourdan Lewis, Jones is returning outside – where he wanted to be all along. Whether Jones will thrive on the outside like he did the inside is yet to be seen – but if the college tape and the mentality he has is any indication, he’ll be just fine on the boundary.
NB1/CB3- Jourdan Lewis
Lewis comes over from Dallas after putting up a career year at the age of 29. Throughout his 8 year tenure in Dallas he has been a consistently good player both playing in the slot and on the boundary. Last year he made the leap from good to great and the new regime is counting on him to not only continue his own improvement but also raise up the level of the group with him.
CB4- Buster Brown
Brown has proven time and again to be a solid depth piece in the Jaguars secondary. Somebody who has delivered consistently when called upon and held his own against some of the premier receivers in the game. He is not somebody you necessarily want starting consistently but in a pinch you feel more than comfortable relying on him to hold his own and make some plays.
Cornerback Depth
De’Antre Prince; Christian Braswell; Zech McPhearson
These players have yet to establish themselves as anything more than special teamers and practice squad players.
State of the Position
This cornerback room has left a lot to be desired over the last few years. Campbell remains an uncertainty with health concerns and there is still the unknown of Jones translatability on the boundary. Even though this is a position of need, it may end up being addressed later then people expect due to their rumored belief in the current group.
Level of Need and Potential Investment
- Depth player with the potential to develop into a long term starter needed
- Investment ranges from Day 2 to Day 3 – Prediction Round 4/5
Safeties
FS1– Darnell Savage
Savage was another player affected by the poor scheme deployed last year. Throughout his career, Savage has made big time plays and had huge effects on many games. That was not on display in Jacksonville last year but is that more due to his talent or the scheme – we will find out this year.
SS1– Eric Murray
Murray is a longtime NFL veteran who has played valuable snaps across many different schemes and in many different positions. His veteran presence and understanding of concepts should raise the floor of the safety room and secondary as a whole. Whether or not he earns a starting role is yet to be seen but he has proven to be a capable starter if called upon.
FS2– Andrew Wingard
A true fan favorite, Wingard has some of the most popular Jaguars soundbites of the last 5 years and has become synonymous with Jacksonville. Unfortunately, his entertainment factor outweighs his on field impact as he has proven to be more of a replacement level starter, as opposed to somebody you want to rely on week to week.
SS2– Antonio Johnson
After finishing out his rookie campaign strong the hope for Johnson heading into last year was massive. Sadly, Johnson did not play up to the level people had hoped as he was consistently in the wrong spot and letting opportunities to make plays pass him by – eventually resulting in his benching. A common theme throughout this defense has been trying to find who was more to blame for the struggles last year – the poor scheme or the player themselves. This is another one we will have to wait and see to learn who was more at fault.
S3- Daniel Thomas
Thomas is one of the best special teamers in the league. On top of his special team value he also offers good snaps and a sense of reliability when tasked with stepping in at safety. He would be best used as a pure depth safety, giving him the ability to focus on continuing to be a special teams game changer.
State of the Position
Much like their partners in the secondary, the safety position has left a lot to be desired. As it stands now, one can say that the team has no long term starting options at safety so adding a player that fits that mold will be very important to the success of this unit and the defense as a whole.
Level of Need and Potential Investment
- Starter needed; depth competition would also elevate the floor of the room
- Investment ranges from Day 2 to early Day 3 – Prediction Round 2/3
Special Teams
Kicker– Cam Little
Little was lights out as a rookie – connecting on 27 of 29 field goal attempts including 5 of 6 from 50+yards with a long of 59 yards. He was also perfect on extra points. It is no secret what having a great kicker can do for a team, and it looks like Little has the makings of being that guy for Jacksonville.
Punter– Logan Cooke
Cooke is one of the best in the game. An argument could be made that he was the most consistent Jaguar last year as he constantly pinned opponents deep in their own territory. His connection with rookie kicker Cam Little and long snapper Ross Matiscik was also fantastic, resulting in one of the cleanest special team operation units in the league.
Long Snapper- Ross Matiscik
Can we get some love for the back to back pro-bowl long snapper? Matiscik is one of the best in the game at his position making plays on special teams and controlling a clean operation in the punting and kicking game.
State of the Position-
Last year’s most consistent unit, gets the benefit of another full offseason together as both players and staff. Expect this group to continue ascending and be one of the better special teams units in the NFL.
Level of Need and Potential Investment
- No need
- No investment expected
Outlook
With a strong special teams unit firmly in place and a defense brimming with untapped potential, the Jaguars are well-positioned to make a major leap in 2025. To capitalize on this opportunity, they’ll need to maximize the value of their 10 draft picks—targeting players who can not only fill immediate needs, but also raise both the floor and ceiling of the roster. If the right pieces are added, this defense could transform from a liability into a legitimate difference-maker. And with special teams already operating at a high level, Jacksonville has a real chance to field its most complete and competitive team in years—one capable of making noise in all three phases of the game.
