What does the Jacksonville Jaguars’ defensive tackle depth chart now look like following their trade with the New Orleans Saints for veteran Khalen Saunders?
The defensive tackle position for the Jaguars has been a big question mark all offseason.
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This was a unit that struggled during the 2024 season, and there were no major additions made to this position during free agency or the NFL draft.
Adding to the uncertainty within this unit during training camp has been that both Arik Armstead and Maason Smith have yet to practice as each continues to work through an injury.
As Liam Coen said last week, getting Armstead and Smith back gives the Jaguars confidence that they could get better at defensive tackle. However, until they’re on the field, there is still a feeling of “you don’t really know what you have at the position truly.”
Prior to this trade for Saunders, the only real certainty at tackle at this moment was DaVon Hamilton. Beyond him, Austin Johnson has had his moments, as have Tyler Lacy and Jordan Jefferson this summer, but at a position where four or five players are relied upon weekly, can the Jaguars get the consistent play they’re searching for?
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When a team’s defensive tackle group is playing at a high level, every other position group on the defense benefits from the push they generate, the space they occupy, and the mismatches they can help create.
Jacksonville Jaguars‘ defensive tackle depth chart after Khalen Saunders trade
This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: Jaguars trade for Khalen Saunders; updated look at DT depth chart
