Jacksonville Jaguars: Exploring Pass Rush Options

Sep 7, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Ryan Davis (59) and defensive end Andre Branch (90) celebrate a sack during the second quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

The Jacksonville Jaguars were tied for sixth in the National Football League in sacks last season with 45. However, if preseason is any indication of what’s to come, the Jaguars will be lucky to even come close to that mark in 2015.

Through three preseason games the Jaguars have three sacks. Two came in Week 1 against the Pittsburgh Steelers from undrafted rookie Cap Capi out of the University of Akron. The other was from Chris Smith in Week 2 against the New York Giants.

The Jaguars failed to record a sack in week 3 against the Lions, which many teams call the dress rehearsal.

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Sure it’s only preseason, and the Jaguars have been without some key players, players such as Chris Clemons, who has missed a majority of training camp and the first two preseason games with a knee injury. Sen’Derrick Marks is also out while still recovering from an ACL injury he suffered back in December. Both Clemons and Marks accounted for 16.5 of the Jaguars 45 sacks last season.

Dec 18, 2014; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle Sen’Derrick Marks (99) runs onto the field before the game against the Tennessee Titans at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

However, Clemons is 33 years old, and though he recorded eight sacks last season, he is getting up there in age. It’s likely to expect a dip in his production for 2015. Sen’Derrick Marks says he will be ready by week 1, but not many players can make an immediate impact off ACL surgery apart from Adrian Peterson.

The Jaguars had drafted their pass rusher in the draft back in May, but in the first hour of mini-camp Dante Fowler tore his ACL.

To make matters worse, Andre Branch sprained his MCL last week against the Lions and is expected to miss significant playing time.

So who can emerge at pass rusher and what can the Jaguars do?

Replacing Branch will be second year pass rusher Chris Smith out of Arkansas. Smith, a fifth round pick last season, is now working with the ones and will look to get production at the LEO position, which the Jaguars desperately need.

Also in the mix is fourth year player Ryan Davis. Davis, who went undrafted in 2012 out of Bethune Cookman, has grown over the last few seasons. Davis recorded six sacks last season and looks to build on that heading into 2015. With aging and injured players, the Jaguars will look for these two to fill the voids.

Could and should the Jaguars look elsewhere to fill their need? Roster cuts are looming but it’s unlikely the Jaguars answer will be there.

Dec 28, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bruce Irvin (51) scores on a 49-yard interception return in the fourth quarter against the St. Louis Rams at CenturyLink Field. The Seahawks defeated the Rams 20-6 to clinch the NFC West division title. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Might the Jaguars look at trading for Seattle’s Bruce Irvin? Alfie Crowe of Big Cat Country seems to think so saying, “Irvin, who’s in the final year of his rookie deal and doesn’t appear likely to re-sign for Seattle, would be a great addition to the Jaguars while Dante Fowler Jr. is out with a torn ACL and for the future. The Jaguars are very likely going to target another pass rusher in the 2016 offseason be it in free agency or the NFL Draft, so why not try take care of that a year early?”

“We know that Irvin fits what Gus Bradley likes to do with his pass rushers and we’ve seen him have success with Irvin in the past.”

Could Aldon Smith be another option? Sure, it’s unlikely Smith will play much, if at all, this season. “But It’s a low-risk move that can pay huge dividends over the next few seasons if you can keep him out of trouble,” says Crowe.

Irvin and/or Smith would gives the Jaguars consistent pressure. Consistent pressure has always been a struggle for the Jaguars for the better part of a decade, and if the Jaguars fail to get any sort of pressure this season, Blake Bortles and the offense will need to score a lot of points to win ball games.

Next: Jacksonville Jaguars: The Good, Bad, and the Ugly vs. Lions

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