Power Rankings: Top Post-Draft Defenses (27-32)

Dec 22, 2013; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker LaRoy Reynolds (56) tackles Tennessee Titans running back Shonn Greene (23) during the first half at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Jacksonville Jaguars 4-12
Last Season’s Rankings: #27 Overall Defense (379.4 total yards per game allowed) #26 Passing Defense (247.6 passing yards per game allowed) #29 Rushing Defense (131.8 rushing yards per game allowed)

For a team that has been known for losing, free agency and the draft are basically like Christmas to the Jaguars. For a team that has had everything go wrong, the draft seems to be one of the only places to correct last season’s many mistakes and perhaps find out some new ones. The question isn’t necessarily “do we start over?”, but rather “where do we start over?”  Regardless though of the offensive struggles, the Jags need to make sure that their 27th-ranked defense is in tip-top shape before even thinking about the offense. In very first 8 weeks of the season, the Jaguars rush defense allowed an unbelievable 129.8 yards and 1.25 touchdowns per game to opposing running backs to go along with their 28.1 points per game which ranked 5th-worst in the NFL in 2013. Considering that Jacksonville has just resigned DE Jason Babin (40 total tackles, 7.5 sacks and 7 tackles for loss) and just agreed to terms with former Seattle Seahawks Chris Clemons and Red Bryant, the Jaguars are set at the DE position.

Last season the Jags ranked 31st in rushing defense allowing 131.8 yards per game and were ranked 26th in pass defense with 247.6 passing yards allowed per game including 28.1 points per game which ranks as 5th worst in the NFL. To say that his defense hasn’t produced up to expectations would be the biggest understatement of 2014 (kind of makes sense since we’re not even a month into 2014 yet, so). From weeks 3-7, the Jaguars went 0-5, allowing opposing QBs to throw for 285.4 yards and a blasphemous 2.6 touchdowns per game. Surprisingly enough their passing defense wasn’t the worst of the Jaguars problems in 2013.

In the very first 8 weeks of the season, the Jaguars rush defense allowed an unbelievable 129.8 yards and 1.25 touchdowns per game to opposing running backs. I understand that this may be a total football cliche, but defense wins championships. You saw it with the Carolina Panthers. Their passing offense with Cam Newton this season was totally sub-par. In 2013, Newton and the Panthers pass offense ranked 29th in the NFL with only 190.2 passing yards per game and yet even with a 11th-ranked running game, they were still able to go 12-4 and make it to the Divisional round of the NFC playoffs. Why? Because their defense was absolutely unstoppable this season, allowing the 2nd-least points per game with 15.1 points per game and 2nd-least yards per game with 301.3 total yards per game.

With injury to Dekoda Watson and numerous others, the Jaguars 2014 looks as bleak as 2013. Their secondary mainly consists of second-rate players and will most likely allow even more yards in 2014. CB Aaron Colvin does look bright, however he is just one piece in a poor defense.