The Jacksonville Jaguars’ rookies and veterans have all arrived for training camp. Next up is the team’s first practice, which takes place on July 23rd.
There are always numerous storylines to watch for as camp unfolds, many centered around positional battles. But for now, we will focus our attention on specific players.
After going through the offensive side of the ball recently, we will now dive into the Jaguars’ defense, with one player to watch for at each position group over the next several weeks.
Defensive line: Maason Smith
With no significant offseason additions made to the defensive tackle position, a Year 2 leap from Maason Smith is very important to the overall success of the Jaguars’ defensive line position group–a unit that very much needs improved play this season.
Helping Smith make that jump will be Anthony Campanile’s defensive scheme, which will feature more movement up front and a more attacking play style, as Smith described. Also, a part of the equation could be more blitzing and simulated pressures from the front seven, helping to create opportunities for the tackles and ends.
“He’s a big one for us,” said Coen of Smith. “We need him to take a huge step this year. I think he’s done a great job when you talk about the offseason program, in the weight room, the conditioning, his mentality with the work ethic, and then coming out here and making it hard.”
Linebacker: Devin Lloyd
I think there could be an opportunity for Lloyd to really flourish and take a big step in Campanile’s defense. We saw last year in Green Bay, where Campanile was the linebackers coach, that rookie Edgerrin Cooper and Quay Walker both played at high levels, especially during the second half of the season.
His versatility, in particular, could make him a real weapon in Campanile’s malleable defensive system, where multiplicity is a key element.
“We’re excited about him,” said Liam Coen earlier this offseason. “A guy that we see we can do some things with. We do feel excited about some of his versatility and experience.”
Lloyd finished the 2024 season making 106 of his 111 tackle attempts, and he was among PFF’s highest-graded linebackers in the run game. In coverage, he allowed 11.6 yards per catch with one interception and one pass breakup.
Cornerback: Travis Hunter
The majority of Hunter’s practice time during offseason programs came at wide receiver, which was the plan all along. As GM James Gladstone mentioned, the team views cornerback as Hunter’s more natural position.
However, the expectation in training camp with Hunter is that we will now regularly see him practicing on both sides of the ball during the same practice. For the most part, during offseason programs, Hunter spent each day on either offense or defense.
“He just has a wealth of talent, and he’s a super intelligent guy, which makes it super fun,” Campanile said. “He’s really quick on the uptake. So he’s a fun guy to coach, to be around. I know his position coaches love coaching him, and it’s pretty impressive to watch a guy do that.”
The starting cornerback spot opposite of Tyson Campbell is up for grabs. With Hunter mostly playing wide receiver this offseason, Montaric Brown saw a lot of first-team reps.
Safety: Caleb Ransaw
The starting spot next to Eric Murray is available, and third-round pick Caleb Ransaw finds himself in the mix for that playing time.
Ransaw is making a bit of a position change with the bulk of his playing time in college coming at the nickel, where he was sticky in coverage, allowing a completion rate of 49% over the last two seasons, but with the Jaguars, he will fill more of a traditional safety role.
His coverage skills, sound tackling, and ability to play near the line of scrimmage provides Campanile with a versatile presence at the position.
“Caleb’s doing awesome,” said defensive backs coach Anthony Perkins. “We were very excited just during the draft process, we thought based on his skill set what he showed on tape, he’d be able to make that transition and play more at safety and he hasn’t disappointed. He’s done a tremendous job.”
This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: 4 Jacksonville Jaguars’ defenders to watch during training camp
Reporting by Paul Bretl, Jaguars Wire / Jaguars Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
