The Jacksonville Jaguars currently have two players on the roster they selected with the No. 1 overall pick: Trevor Lawrence (2021) and Travon Walker (2022). The team also has Travis Hunter, who the most recently selected with the No. 2 pick in the 2025 Draft. The three top-two draft picks, along with several other talented young players, should help Jacksonville return to being a factor in the league. However, one expert believes the team needs to add one more top draft pick before the season starts.
In a recent ESPN piece, highlighting one more move all 32 teams need to get done this offseason, Aaron Schatz proposed that Jacksonville signs veteran defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, the No. 1 pick of the 2014 Draft.
ESPN urges Jaguars to sign Jadeveon Clowney to complete defensive line renovation
Schatz acknowledges that Jacksonville already has a strong pair of edge defenders with Walker, and 2019 seventh-overall pick Josh Hines-Allen, but the analyst believes there are still questions about the defensive line’s depth. The addition of Clowney would help to lower those concerns.
"The Jaguars could use a third strong edge rusher who can rotate with Hines-Allen and Walker, and there are a number still on the market. I'm picking Clowney over Matthew Judon, Preston Smith or Za'Darius Smith because his strength setting the edge on run plays makes him a good sub for Walker specifically."
Aaron Schatz (ESPN)
Since being drafted by the Houston Texans in 2014, Clowney has bounced around to five other teams. Most recently, he played for the Carolina Panthers in 2024. Appearing in 14 games, he recorded 5.5 sacks, 46 tackles, and nine tackles for a loss. While some fans will argue Clowney is just a name now heading into his 12th seasaon, the three-time Pro Bowler is still producing.
Just two season ago, with the Baltimore Ravens, Clowney had 9.5 sacks and 19 quarterback hits. That shows he can still get after the quarterback, and as Schatz pointed out, play well against the run. That skill set is always welcomed on a defensive line, so the Jaguars should consider this move.
READ MORE