The Jacksonville Jaguars selected defensive end K'Lavon Chaisson with the 20th overall pick in the NFL Draft on Thursday.
Chaisson bounced back from a torn ACL in 2018 to star as the best pass-rusher for the national title-winning LSU Tigers, including a huge performance in the College Football Playoff semifinal against Oklahoma. Now he's become a first-round draft pick, with fellow Tigers defensive standout Patrick Queen likely to hear his name called next.
Here's what you need to know about Chaisson:
Measurables: 6’3”/254
School: LSU
2019 Stats: 60 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, two passes batted down, one forced fumble
Accolades: College Football Playoff Semifinals Defensive MVP 2020, First-Team All-SEC 2019, AP Second-Team All-SEC 2019, Team Captain 2019, SEC Academic Honor Roll 2017-19, All-SEC Freshman Team 2017
Strengths:
• Prototype speed for an edge rusher
• Elite athleticism despite slightly undersized frame
• Plays the run well
• Experienced and adept at playing against older, better competition after starting as a true freshman
Weaknesses:
• Average production despite rare tools
• Missed time with injuries in each of the past two seasons
• Underweight with arms on the shorter side
Expert scouting report:
• "Impressive diversity of moldable pass-rushing ingredients and moves" - Lance Zierlein, NFL.com
• "He's most productive getting after the quarterback—and the most valuable there—but he's a three-down player with a versatile skill set" - Matt Miller of Bleacher Report
• "Chaisson is the second-best edge rusher in the draft class behind [Chase] Young, and he really popped at the end of the 2019 season" - Todd McShay of ESPN
Tape:
Player Comparison: Shaq Barrett, per Pro Football Focus
Barrett led the league in sacks last year despite ranking among the bottom in wing span, so Chaisson's lack of length isn't necessarily a "death knell," according to Mike Renner of PFF. But he does need to harness his tools into more production at the pro level than what he showed at LSU.
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