With addressing the defensive tackle position still a big priority for the Jacksonville Jaguars this offseason, one NFL analyst believes that the team should bring back a familiar face in Calais Campbell, who is still available in free agency.
Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport highlighted one remaining free agent option for each NFL team that would make sense to sign. For the Jaguars, he selected Campbell.
“Compared to Calais Campbell, Armstead is a youngster—Campbell will turn 40 before the 2026 season starts,” Davenport wrote. “But the six-time Pro Bowler showed he can still play at a level last year in Arizona—43 tackles and 6.5 sacks.”
Campbell was with the Jaguars from 2017 to 2019, making the Pro Bowl each season, along with being named a first-team All-Pro in 2017.
Should the Jacksonville Jaguars sign Calais Campbell?
Campbell is nearly 40 years old, but he continues to produce. Campbell has recorded at least 31 pressures each year since 2021 and is still holding his own in the run game.
Last season, Campbell ranked tied for 22nd among all defensive tackles in PFF’s pass rush productivity metric. He also ranked 22nd in run-stop rate as well.
Campbell’s presence would elevate the floor of the Jaguars’ defensive tackle unit. Improved depth and a greater pass rush presence is needed at tackle this season for the Jaguars.
The Jaguars do not have an abundance of salary cap space at the moment — although Travon Walker’s extension has not yet been factored in — but signing Campbell won’t break the bank either.
If GM James Gladstone is going to make an addition at defensive tackle in free agency — or at any position — he may not do so until after the NFL draft, when he’s able to see what the full roster looks like. A signing at that stage of the offseason also won’t count against the compensatory draft pick formula either.
This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: Jaguars named landing spot for familiar face who remains a free agent
Reporting by Paul Bretl, Jaguars Wire / Jaguars Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
