If the Jacksonville Jaguars proved anything last season, it’s that building a complete defensive front requires more than just edge pressure. Interior disruption matters, and right now, it still feels like a missing ingredient.

Veterans Arik Armstead and DaVon Hamilton bring toughness and reliability against the run, but asking them to carry the load across a full season isn’t sustainable. The Jaguars need more juice inside, especially on passing downs.

That’s what makes their draft positioning tricky.

Currently, the Jaguars aren't selecting until the 56th overall pick, and they risk missing out on the top-tier of defensive tackles. In a previous look at realistic Round 2 options, players like Gracen Halton, Chris McClellan, and Domonique Orange made sense if the Jaguars stand pat.

But if they want more than rotational help and if they want a potential difference-maker, they may need to move up. The top names like Peter Woods, Caleb Banks, and Kayden McDonald are likely first-round locks.

There are several elite defensive-line prospects who may not last past the first round or early in the second. Here are three worth targeting. 

Lee Hunter feels like the ideal trade-up candidate if Jacksonville wants to split the difference between cost and impact. He brings a powerful, sturdy frame and plays with the kind of leverage that translates well to the next level.

Hunter can anchor against the run, but what makes him especially intriguing is his ability to collapse the pocket. He’s not just holding ground. He’s pushing it backward.

For a Jaguars defense that needs interior disruption, Hunter offers immediate value with room to grow. He’s unlikely to fall to 56, but the former Texas Tech standout also shouldn’t require a massive trade package to go get.

L.T. Overton is the type of prospect who will climb boards as the draft approaches, and for good reason. Coming out of Alabama's program, he’s battle-tested and physically gifted.

He combines size, strength, and surprising quickness, giving him a well-rounded profile as both a run defender and pass rusher. Overton doesn’t just eat blocks. He sheds them and makes plays.

If Jacksonville is serious about adding a tone-setter inside, Overton fits the mold. The cost to move up might be slightly higher here, but the payoff could be a long-term fixture in the middle of the defensive line.

Darrell Jackson Jr. might be the most intriguing upside play of this group. He demonstrated with Florida State that he’s disruptive, active, and capable of making splash plays from the interior.

His ability to penetrate gaps and create chaos in the backfield gives him real appeal in today’s NFL, where interior pressure can derail even the best offenses. There’s still some development needed, but that’s exactly why he sits in this trade-up range rather than the top 20. For Jacksonville, that creates an opportunity.

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