​With training camp approaching, we will spotlight the single biggest question facing each of the Jacksonville Jaguars’ position groups. Up next are the defensive tackles, where the team needs more consistent pass-rush production this season.
Arik Armstead gave the Jaguars a noticeable pass-rush presence for a sizable portion of last season. Through 12 games, Armstead accumulated 41 quarterback pressures, ranking him among the top responders at the defensive-tackle position during that stretch. He also sat near the top of his group in sacks. However, a hand injury shortened his late-season production, underscoring a broader issue: the lack of dependable depth at this spot. DaVon Hamilton is more of a run defender, while Maason Smith’s role diminished as the year progressed. That left Matt Dickerson and Dawuane Smoot—when Smoot moved inside to inject some juice—with a combined total of just 24 pressures for the season.
This season, it will be imperative for Armstead to reclaim the form he showed early in 2025. The addition of Ruke Orhorhoro could supply an additional burst of pressure from the interior as well. Enhanced back-end coverage and diverse looks from Anthony Campanile can also buy the pass rush a bit more time to get home. collectively, the Jaguars’ defense ranked a modest 18th in pressure rate in 2025 and 27th in sacks last season. Boosting pass-rush consistency could yield meaningful improvements in those rankings.
When defensive tackles manage to generate steady push up the middle, every other defender on the field benefits. It’s the quickest way to disrupt an offense and alter the course of a play. If Armstead can restore his early-2025 impact and the interior line can produce reliable disruption, Jacksonville’s entire defense stands to gain. This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire with the focus on the big question for the Jaguars’ defensive-tackle unit ahead of training camp for better SEO.