The Jacksonville Jaguars' defense has picked up where it left off last season, being a very stingy and disruptive unit.
Through five games, the Jaguars rank second in points per game allowed, boast a top run defense, and continue to take the ball away. However, there is an area of opportunity for where this defense can improve as well.
According to ESPN's Michael DiRocco, the Jaguars' "biggest issue" on defense is their inability to get sacks from the edge.
"Edge rushers Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker have only 3.5 sacks combined," DiRocco wrote. "They each had 1.5 sacks in the season opener against the Browns but a combined half sack since (Walker on Sunday). Both are a large part of the run defense (63.8 yards per game) by setting the edge,
but their sack production needs to increase."
Despite the overall success that the defense has had, the Jaguars rank 23rd in pressure rate, according to Pro Football Reference, and 17th in sacks.
That said, a sign that more production will come is that the Jaguars rank 11th in ESPN's pass rush win rate metric, which tells us that, as a defensive front, this unit does consistently beat the blocker across from them.
And if that happens, an already tough test for opposing offenses when facing this Jaguars' defense will become even more challenging.
This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: Area where Jaguars already stingy defense can improve
