Mandatory minicamp will take place for the Jacksonville Jaguars from June 9-11. This is often the last big milestone in the NFL offseason calendar before training camp arrives in late July.
Through the first two weeks of OTA practices, we’ve gained some valuable insights into where things stand on the depth chart, along with who may be standing out early on, but questions at each position group remain, and that’s normal at this time of the year. It won’t be until training camp and the preseason take place that playing time and final roster decisions are made.
So as part of our Jaguars’ minicamp preview, let’s highlight the one big question facing each position group. Up next is the defensive tackle position.
Can the Jaguars create a more consistent pass rush from the interior defensive line?
Down the stretch last season, the pass rush production from the Jaguars’ defensive tackle unit faded.
From Weeks 15-18, Armstead led the Jaguars’ defensive tackles with five pressures during that span, which ranked tied for 57th among all defensive tackles. Matt Dickerson led the Jacksonville tackles in pass rush win rate, but ranked tied for 75th league-wide, according to PFF.
As a collective defensive unit, the Jaguars ranked a modest 18th in pressure rate in 2025 and 27th in sacks.
The addition of Ruke Orhorhoro can hopefully provide some juice. Last season, he generated 30 pressures and four sacks. Among 121 defensive tackles, he ranked tied for 51st in PFF’s pass rush productivity metric.
The Jaguars also need Arik Armstead to consistently produce over the course of the season. DaVon Hamilton provides a stout interior presence, while Albert Regis made a greater impact as a run defender in college.
The quickest way to wreck any offensive play is with a quick push up the middle. When that happens regularly, every other position group on the field benefits.
If the Jaguars can be more disruptive from the interior this season, that will go a long way in helping the defense as a whole take a big step forward in Year 2 under Anthony Campanile.
This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: Big question facing Jaguars defensive tackle position heading into minicamp
Reporting by Paul Bretl, Jaguars Wire / Jaguars Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Paul Bretl, Jaguars Wire | USA TODAY Network
