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The Quiet Case 2 Jaguars Just Made on Defense

Danny Striggow

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The Jacksonville Jaguars' Danny Striggow, a 2025 undrafted free agent signing.

The Jacksonville Jaguars’ 23-17 preseason victory over the Miami Dolphins on August 23, wasn’t just about the scoreboard.

For players fighting for a roster spot, every snap carried weight. While the defensive stat sheet may not scream dominance, the Jaguars’ defense left a clear imprint—particularly through two young defenders who made the most of their opportunities.

Defensive ends Danny Striggow and DJ Green II won’t make headlines for gaudy numbers. Still, their performances showed exactly what NFL coaches value in roster evaluations: technique, discipline, and situational awareness.

Danny Striggow: Turning Technique Into Opportunity

Danny Striggow finished the night with one solo tackle, two assisted tackles, and a sack—solid production for his reps. But the real story is how he earned those numbers.

Against Miami’s starting offensive line, Striggow demonstrated patience in his rush lanes, refusing to overcommit and leave gaps for Tua Tagovailoa to exploit. When the opportunity came, he displayed violent hand usage, striking and countering with a swim move that freed him from the left tackle’s grasp. That small detail—a textbook counter technique—was the difference between being washed out of the play and taking down an NFL starter.

It’s those technical flashes that carry weight in film review. Striggow didn’t just get to the quarterback; he did it in a way that will catch the eyes of Jacksonville’s defensive coaches. For a player living on the roster bubble, stacking disciplined reps like that is more valuable than any single highlight.

DJ Green II: Strength, Awareness, and Balance

If Striggow impressed with his hands and technique, DJ Green II stood out with strength and awareness. Green finished with two tackles and a sack, but the numbers undersell his impact.

Throughout the game, DJ Green showcased his power at the point of attack, refusing to be displaced by Miami’s offensive line. Just as importantly, he didn’t allow himself to get reckless. Too often, young pass rushers over-pursue, opening escape lanes for the quarterback. Green avoided that mistake, maintaining balance in his rushes and showing impressive pocket awareness.

That discipline paid off on the Dolphins’ third drive of the second quarter. Green II closed on Tagovailoa for a sack after staying square and forcing the pocket to collapse from within. It wasn’t flashy, but it was smart, controlled football—the kind of play that earns trust from a coaching staff.

A Defense With an Edge

The Jaguars’ defense set the tone early, frustrating Miami’s offense and keeping pressure consistent. Jaguars Head Coach Liam Coen summed it up afterward:

“The effort, the physicality—I thought they played specifically on the defensive side of the ball very well,” Coen said. Against their first offense, I thought our guys competed very well, made it hard on them early on, and really made it hard on them to kinda move it all night.”

That assessment reflects the unit’s growing confidence. For Striggow and Green, it was validation that their preparation and attention to detail are paying off.

Final Word

In preseason, numbers can be deceiving. The Jaguars aren’t evaluating splash plays alone—they’re looking at whether a player can execute his assignment consistently. On August 23, both Danny Striggow and DJ Green II showed they can do just that.

The Jaguars may still face tough roster decisions in the coming days, but performances like these suggest that even players on the bubble are raising the standard. For Striggow and Green, it wasn’t about filling the stat sheet—it was about proving they belong.

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