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Jordan Plocher of Pro Football Focus recently selected an early-round and a late-round option in the NFL draft for every team's top need. Naturally, for the Jacksonville Jaguars, the position selected was interior defensive lineman.
GM James Gladstone has mentioned that adding to this position would be a priority. Last season, the Jaguars' defensive front ranked 32nd in ESPN's pass rush win rate metric and 27th in run stop.
When it came to which early and late round tight end prospects Plocher has on his radar for the Jaguars, not surprisingly, in the first round, he selected Michigan's Mason Graham.
Given the need and that Graham is the top defensive tackle in this year's class, he's been an extremely popular pick for the Jaguars in mock drafts.
But as far as the Day 3 option goes, Plocher went with Oregon's Jamaree Caldwell.
"Caldwell could be a valuable addition later in the draft, as he recorded 19 run stops in 2024, with seven resulting in a loss or no gain," Plocher wrote.
Listed at 6-2 - 332 pounds, Caldwell is a space-eater in the middle of a defense. He's been one of PFF's higher graded interior run defenders in each of the last three seasons and flashed some pass rush upside this past year by recording 25 pressures.
Caldwell's presence may not always show up on the stat sheet, but when he's occupying space and taking on double teams, that can help bottle up running lanes and create opportunities for other defenders to make plays.
For more on Caldwell, here is what NFL.com's Lance Zierlein wrote in his pre-draft report:
"Caldwell carries the broad hips and girth of a classic nose tackle, but he is athletic enough to take snaps at either tackle spot in an even front. He can eat blocks against double teams or hog gaps as a read-and-react two-gapper. He gets bounced around some when he plays too straight-legged or ends up on the ground when he loses control, but he plays with heart and has a strong win rate at the point."
Given that the defensive tackle position is a top priority for the Jaguars, along with Jacksonville having 10 selections, this is a position where we could see GM James Gladstone double or even triple dip in the draft, especially with how strong this year's class is.
This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: NFL draft: PFF picks Jamaree Caldwell as Day 2 DT option
Continue reading...
GM James Gladstone has mentioned that adding to this position would be a priority. Last season, the Jaguars' defensive front ranked 32nd in ESPN's pass rush win rate metric and 27th in run stop.
When it came to which early and late round tight end prospects Plocher has on his radar for the Jaguars, not surprisingly, in the first round, he selected Michigan's Mason Graham.
Given the need and that Graham is the top defensive tackle in this year's class, he's been an extremely popular pick for the Jaguars in mock drafts.
But as far as the Day 3 option goes, Plocher went with Oregon's Jamaree Caldwell.
"Caldwell could be a valuable addition later in the draft, as he recorded 19 run stops in 2024, with seven resulting in a loss or no gain," Plocher wrote.
Listed at 6-2 - 332 pounds, Caldwell is a space-eater in the middle of a defense. He's been one of PFF's higher graded interior run defenders in each of the last three seasons and flashed some pass rush upside this past year by recording 25 pressures.
Caldwell's presence may not always show up on the stat sheet, but when he's occupying space and taking on double teams, that can help bottle up running lanes and create opportunities for other defenders to make plays.
For more on Caldwell, here is what NFL.com's Lance Zierlein wrote in his pre-draft report:
"Caldwell carries the broad hips and girth of a classic nose tackle, but he is athletic enough to take snaps at either tackle spot in an even front. He can eat blocks against double teams or hog gaps as a read-and-react two-gapper. He gets bounced around some when he plays too straight-legged or ends up on the ground when he loses control, but he plays with heart and has a strong win rate at the point."
Given that the defensive tackle position is a top priority for the Jaguars, along with Jacksonville having 10 selections, this is a position where we could see GM James Gladstone double or even triple dip in the draft, especially with how strong this year's class is.
This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: NFL draft: PFF picks Jamaree Caldwell as Day 2 DT option
Continue reading...
