What Dante Fowler Jr.’s injury means to the Jacksonville Jaguars

By Robert Brewer | May 9, 2015

The Jacksonville Jaguars had high hopes for Dante Fowler Jr. when they selected him third overall in last week’s NFL draft. Fowler was expected to provide a pass rushing presence to a rebuilding Jags’ defense. However, those hopes were dashed as Fowler tore the ACL in his left knee on his first day of practice with his new team.

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Not since Ki-Jana Carter was drafted first overall in 1995 have I seen such a highly touted prospect gone for the season this soon due to a knee injury. The question now becomes who can team up with last year’s emerging talent Sen’Derrick Marks and make up for the loss of Fowler on Jacksonville’s defense?

Former Miami Dolphins’ defensive end Jared Odrick was signed back in March to provide depth and stability within Jacksonville’s front seven. However, when it comes to getting after the quarterback, Odrick’s production has dropped dramatically since his first few years in the league. In 2011, Ordrick recorded a career high six sacks. Since then, Odrick’s sack totals have dropped each year and the former Penn State All-American registered only one measly sack in 2014.

Jacksonville’s other potential defensive replacement is free agent pickup Dan Skuta. Undrafted out of Grand Valley State in 2009, Skuta produced a career high five sacks for the San Francisco 49ers last season. Aside from last year, Skuta has only tallied a half sack throughout the rest of his six-year NFL career. While Skuta may bring experience and effort to the Jaguars’ defensive unit, his pass rush skills leave plenty to be desired.

On the bright side, Jacksonville did decide to retain defensive end Chris Clemons and defensive tackle Tyson Alualu from last year’s unit. The problem with these pass rush options is the fact that Clemons will turn 34 this coming season and Alualu has simply not lived up to expectations since becoming the tenth overall pick in 2010.

Nov 30, 2014; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Chris Clemons (91) celebrates after receiving a fumble during the fourth quarter against New York Giants at EverBank Field. The Jaguars won 25-24. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Like Alualu, former Jaguars’ second-round selection Andre Branch has also been a disappointment on defense. Not only has Branch been unable to consistently crack the starting lineup during his three-year NFL career, but he has collected all of ten sacks during his stint in Jacksonville.

Aside from these marginal or aging veterans, the only other viable pass rushing option that Jacksonville has is rookie sixth round draft pick Michael Bennett of Ohio State. According to NFL.com, the former Buckeye had a second-round grade prior to the draft. On the positive side, Bennett has shown the ability to get after the passer in big games as he recorded two sacks in the Big 10 Championship, and also registered a sack in Ohio State’s Sugar Bowl win over Alabama.

While Jags’ fans may be getting a potential steal with Bennett in the sixth round, his value slipped in the draft due to his reputation concerning an inconsistent motor. Nonetheless, it is unrealistic to expect immediate production from any sixth round pick even if that player puts forth the most diligent of efforts.

Jan 1, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; (Editor

The injury to Fowler comes at a terrible time for Jacksonville considering how late it is in free agency. Since most good players have already signed with a team, the Jacksonville Jaguars will just have to roll with what they have for now barring an unforeseen trade. It was already going to be an uphill battle for Jacksonville to regain traction in the AFC South division this year, but their road just got even more difficult with their number one pick now gone for the season.

Next: T.J. Yeldon a solid pick for Jaguars

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