WHAT IS THE JAGUARS BIGGEST NEED ON DEFENSE?

David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire

The Jaguars defense is loaded with talent, but do they have any needs?

---

The simple answer to the question is that the Jaguars don't have a glaring need on defense. Anywhere. 

Up front the Jaguars have three solid defensive tackles that have position versatility in Marcell Dareus, Taven Bryan, and Abry Jones. ​On the edge, the Jaguars deploy Calais Campbell and Yannick Ngakoue with Dawuane Smoot and Lerentee McCray as quality backups. 

At linebacker, the Jaguars have a ton of depth, something that indeed couldn't have been said at this time last year. But with Myles Jack and Telvin Smith as the primary starters, Leon Jacobs at SAM, and a list of backups that includes Jake Ryan, Donald Payne, and Blair Brown this linebacker group is loaded. 

At defensive back, the Jaguars have solid players across the board. Jalen Ramsey and AJ Bouye start on the outside at CB, with DJ Hayden manning the slot. Behind those three, Tre Herndon and Quenton Meeks got experience as undrafted rookies last year and are well liked by the coaching staff. At free safety, the Jaguars are comfortable with Jarrod Wilson in the starting lineup after two consecutive impressive campaigns filling in for injured players. Cody Leonard is a back up at free safety with starting experience and can be relied upon in a pinch. At strong safety, the Jaguars boast Ronnie Harrison, who could be a budding star, and CJ Reavis, another undrafted rookie from 2018 that won favor amongst the coaching staff. 

St. Nick T-Shirt

Shop

So, as I stated prior, there aren't any REAL needs on the defensive side of the ball. But where could the Jaguars stand to add an impact player?

The answer is on the edge. On offense, the NFL is all about the QB; on defense, it's all about getting after the QB. Calais Campbell and Yannick Ngakoue are impactful edge rushers, and Lerentee McCray has proven throughout his career that he can get pressure on the QB. Smoot is solid against the run but hasn't shown a lot in terms of pass rushing ability since entering the league. If the Jaguars want to have a dominant, injury-proof pass rush, they could stand to add another guy that can bend the edge and get after the QB. 

The argument could be made that the Jaguars should add another defensive back in the draft this year, but I feel comfortable with their depth there, and I KNOW you can never have enough pass rushers in the NFL.

But honestly, the Jaguars shouldn't even consider a defensive prospect until the third round of the draft. Rounds one and two should be all about helping Nick Foles, which means adding a playmaking tight end, of which there are many in this draft class, and inserting some talent/depth into the right side of the offensive line. 

What do you think? Where do the Jaguars have a need on defense?