4 Things to know about new Jaguars' DT Khalen Saunders

USA Today

7 hours ago

Here are four things to know about new Jaguars' DT Khalen Saunders, who was acquired from the Saints via trade.
After playing the Saints in Week 2 of the preseason, the Jacksonville Jaguars made a trade with New Orleans a few hours later.
The Jaguars are acquiring defensive tackle Kahlen Suanders and are trading away offensive lineman Luke Fortner.
Let's begin getting to know the newest Jaguars' defensive tackle with five things to know about Saunders.
Khalen Saunders has Super Bowl experience
Saunders was a third-round draft pick in 2019 by the Kansas City Chiefs, where he played his first four NFL seasons before spending the last two in New Orleans.
Over his career, Saunders has appeared in 68 regular-season games and made 32 starts. He's also played in six playoff games during that span, totaling eight tackles, one tackle for loss, and a quarterback hit.
Saunders would win two Super Bowls during his tenure with the Chiefs.
Khalen Saunders intercepted Patrick Mahomes
In Week 5 of the 2024 season, Saunders intercepted a throw from his former teammate Patrick Mahomes in the end zone on a deflected pass.
On the interception return, at 324 pounds, Saunders reached a top speed of 15.79 mph, according to NFL Next Gen Stats.
Khalen Saunders fit with the Jaguars
The addition of Saunders gives the Jaguars' defensive tackle depth a needed boost and provides added experience.
This was a position that had its question marks going into the offseason, and those unknowns lingered after no major additions were made. The uncertainty has since grown with Maason Smith and Arik Armstead not yet practicing during training camp.
Saunders brings another run-stuffing presence to the Jaguars' defensive tackle position. He could slot in as a backup and rotational member of the defensive tackle unit behind DaVon Hamilton.
A closer look at Khalen Saunders' game
For added insight into what Saunders can add to the Jaguars' defensive front, John Sigler, the managing editor of Saints Wire, had this to say:
"Saunders was seen as a good fit for Dennis Allen's 4-3 base, but he didn't have a home after Brandon Staley installed his 3-4 system. As a wide and squad one-technique, Saunders lacked the size to handle two blockers as a typical nose tackle (which is why the Saints traded for Davon Godchaux), and he doesn't have the pass rush skills to be an every-down player for New Orleans.
"Moving him opens a spot for a younger pro like Khristian Boyd or John Ridgeway III to make the team, too."