Defensive Line on Track To Make a Big Jump

JACKSONVILLE – The Jaguars like their defensive front.

That doesn’t mean the work is complete. What it does mean is the Jaguars’ new decision-makers have seen enough about the area to be encouraged.

“I think that whole group is about to take a jump,” James Gladstone said.

Gladstone, the Jaguars’ first-year general manager, discussed defensive line extensively when speaking to the media shortly after this past weekend’s 2025 NFL Draft. And if many observers and fans were surprised the Jaguars did not address line with any of their nine ’25 draft selections, the team hardly ignored the area over the weekend.

The Jaguars signed edge defender Emmanuel Ogbah as an unrestricted free agent Monday, and six of 20 collegiate free agents signed Monday were defensive linemen: James Carpenter of Indiana, Ethan Downs of Oklahoma, B.J. Green II of Colorado, Eli Mostaert of North Dakota State, Keivie Rose of Arkansas and Danny Striggow of Minnesota.

“They’re working their tails off right now, and you can tell that there’s a connective element that’s coming to life in a short period of time,” Gladstone said.

Armstead, after playing outside extensively during his first season with the Jaguars, is expected to play inside in defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile’s scheme four-three based scheme.

“We certainly look forward to seeing guys being in different positions than they’ve been in the past and that being an element that activates different sides of them,” Gladstone said. “Their whole approach has been great so far, so we’re looking forward to it.”