​With training camp looming for the Jacksonville Jaguars, we typically assemble a 53-man roster projection before camp based on what we learned during the offseason programs. This year, we’ll still deliver a prediction, but the format will shift. Instead of packing every unit into a single article, we’ll dedicate a full piece to each position group before compiling the final roster predictions at the end.
Up next: the defensive ends. The group will be anchored at the top by Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker, but the rotation and the number of roster spots behind them remain to be seen. Hines-Allen was disruptive on his own last season, yet the Jaguars will need more consistent production around him, especially after finishing 18th in pressure rate and 27th in sacks. Getting Walker healthy for a full season should provide a significant boost to the unit.
Defensive end is a position that tends to see heavy rotation, with four players regularly contributing and sometimes five in the mix. The four players highlighted here are in competition for playing time within that rotation and perhaps for a roster spot as well. Carrying six defensive ends would be a substantial roster burden, but it’s not unprecedented for the Jaguars—last year under Liam Coen and Anthony Campanile, we saw a similar approach, and it’s plausible they might lean that way again.
Additionally, as the Jaguars search for more consistent pressure from their pass-rush rotation, Dennis Gardeck and potentially Jalen McLeod could have meaningful roles to play. The group of names includes Josh Hines-Allen, Travon Walker, Danny Striggow, Wesley Williams, BJ Green, and Zach Durfee. Striggow and Green each carry upside that the organization is continuing to cultivate, while Williams and Durfee are recent black-and-gold picks from the draft or, in Williams’ case, a more recent addition to the roster. In short, these players represent a young cohort in whom the Jaguars have invested and who could form the core of the rotation.
My early expectation is that Williams and Striggow will absorb the bulk of the rotational snaps, with Green sprinkled in for additional looks. Green and Durfee, meanwhile, are positioned to assume more substantial special-teams responsibilities, potentially allowing them to contribute in more limited defensive roles. This approach would align with the team’s emphasis on a flexible, multi-faceted front that can adapt to the demands of opposing offenses.
This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: Jaguars pre-training camp 53-man roster prediction: Defensive ends. The focus here is on laying the groundwork for the defensive-end group and setting the stage for a broader, unit-by-unit breakdown as we move toward final roster decisions. The goal is to provide a clear, thorough look at how the defensive ends might shape the Jaguars’ 2026 campaign, with attention to depth, versatility, and special-teams value within the rotation.