With training camp drawing closer for the Jacksonville Jaguars, we typically put together a 53-man roster prediction beforehand based on what we learned during offseason programs.
We will still be doing that, but the format will be different. Rather than cramming every position group into one article, we’ll devote an entire article to each unit before compiling our predictions at the end.
Up next are the defensive ends.
Defensive ends on the Jaguars’ roster
Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker lead the way
As we know, this group will be anchored by Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker at the top of the depth chart, but how the rotation and final roster spots behind them shake out remains to be seen.
As disruptive as Hines-Allen was individually last season, the Jaguars need more consistent production around him after ranking 18th in pressure rate and 27th in sacks. Having Walker healthy for a full season will, of course, be a big help.
Wesley Williams, Danny Striggow, BJ Green, and Zach Durfee are competing for snaps
Defensive end is a relatively heavily rotated position, with four or sometimes even five players seeing regular snaps. These four are battling for playing time within that rotation and perhaps even a roster spot. To keep six defensive ends is going heavy from a roster numbers standpoint, but we did see the Jaguars do that last year under Liam Coen and Anthony Campanile.
It’s also worth mentioning that as the Jaguars search for consistent production from their pass rush rotation, Dennis Gardeck and potentially Jalen McLeod could factor in as well.
Predicting the Jaguars’ 53-man roster at defensive end before training camp
Josh Hines-Allen, Travon Walker, Danny Striggow, Wesley Williams, BJ Green, Zach Durfee
Striggow and Green have upside that the Jaguars are still tapping into, while Williams and Durfee are recent draft picks — or another way to put it, they are all young players that the Jaguars have fairly recently invested in.
My early guess is that Williams and Striggow see the bulk of the rotational snaps with Green mixed in, while Green and Durfee take on larger special teams roles.
This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: Jaguars pre-training camp 53-man roster prediction: Defensive ends
Reporting by Paul Bretl, Jaguars Wire / Jaguars Wire
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By Paul Bretl, Jaguars Wire | USA TODAY Network
