Latest news with #ArikArmstead
USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Jacksonville Jaguars' Arik Armstead ranked among PFF's top defensive tackles in 2025
Jacksonville Jaguars' Arik Armstead ranked among PFF's top defensive tackles in 2025 The Jacksonville Jaguars' Arik Armstead is among PFF's top defensive tackles heading into the 2025 NFL season. The Jacksonville Jaguars' Arik Armstead is among Pro Football Focus' top defensive tackles heading into the 2025 NFL season. PFF has been putting together its ranking of the top 32 players at each position group. At defensive tackle, Trevor Sikkema had Armstead at No. 23 on his list. "Armstead has moved from interior defender to edge defender throughout his career, but he plans to move back inside in 2025 and be an 'elite player' once again," wrote Sikkema. "He's not wrong, as he did post a near-elite single-season PFF overall grade (89.6) in 2019. He recorded just 36 quarterback pressures last season, but that could have very well stemmed from playing out of position." The 2024 season was Armstead's first with the Jaguars, and he was moved to defensive end, despite coming off several highly productive seasons at tackle while with the San Francisco 49ers. After recording 58 pressures and eight sacks in 2023 at defensive tackle, Armstead produced just 36 pressures and two sacks in 2024 by PFF's metrics. In addition to that, Armstead went from ranking ninth among defensive tackles in pass rush win rate in 2023 to ranking 32nd among edge defenders in 2024. This season, under new defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile, Armstead will be making the move back inside. "I think that's where I'm best," Armstead said of the tackle position while appearing on the O-Zone Podcast. "I've played both in my career and had success at both, but I can have the biggest effect on the quarterback playing and rushing against guards and centers. That's what I do best." The defensive tackle position as a whole was thought to be a pressing need for the Jaguars this offseason. However, no addition was made there in free agency or in the NFL draft, showcasing the confidence that GM James Gladstone has in the players that were already on the roster and Campanile's ability to maximize their skill sets. Maason Smith has mentioned that this will be a more attacking Jaguars' front in this new defense, while Gladstone alluded to there being more movement up front as well, which can help put players in advantageous situations based on their skill sets and what the matchup dictates.
USA Today
02-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Jaguars' Arik Armstead discusses moving back to defensive tackle for 2025 season
Jaguars' Arik Armstead discusses moving back to defensive tackle for 2025 season Appearing on the O-Zone Podcast, Jaguars' Arik Armstead discussed moving back to defensive tackle for the 2025 season. Jacksonville Jaguars' veteran defensive lineman Arik Armstead will be moving back to defensive tackle this season, a position where he has experience and is quite comfortable. "I think that's where I'm best," Armstead said of the tackle position while appearing on the O-Zone Podcast. "I've played both in my career and had success at both, but I can have the biggest effect on the quarterback playing and rushing against guards and centers. That's what I do best." The 2024 season was Armstead's first with the Jaguars after signing with the team as a free agent, and he was asked to make the switch from defensive tackle to defensive end. During his tenure with San Francisco, which spanned from 2015 through 2023, Armstead played defensive end early on in his career, but since the 2021 season, the majority of his snaps had come at tackle. So, along with joining a new team and navigating a new defensive scheme last season, Armstead was also back at a relatively new position as well. Amrstead went from producing 58 pressures and eight sacks in 2023, to only 36 pressures and two sacks in 2024, per PFF. He went from ranking ninth among defensive tackles in pass rush win rate in 2023 to ranking 32nd among edge defenders in 2024. "When I'm playing defensive tackle full-time, now I have more opportunities to affect the game on first, second and third down," he said. "I'll have more opportunities to have a big impact on the game." The defensive tackle position was thought to be one of the Jaguars' biggest needs this offseason, but GM James Gladstone didn't address this unit during free agency or in the NFL draft. This showcases the confidence he has in the players on the roster and Anthony Campanile's scheme to elevate that unit, but also a likely part of that equation is Armstead being back inside. "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 after the NFL draft. "Their whole approach has been great so far, so we're looking forward to it." There may still be instances where we see Armstead at defensive end. Movement along the defensive front is an element that's a part of Campanile's defense. But for the most part, Armstead is going to be back at defensive tackle, where he's had some of his most productive seasons in his career. "I think we're on the forefront of a promising season," Armstead said. "There's a lot of newness, which I think is great. There are a lot of first-timers – a first-time head coach, a first-time general manager, a first-time defensive coordinator. With the first-timers, they bring a refreshed energy. You know they want to get it right. "They're doing everything they can to make sure we're heading in the direction we need to be."
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
All signs point towards redemption for Arik Armstead
It's hard to call 2024 anything but a disappointment for Arik Armstead. The Jaguars signed Armstead to a three-year, $43.5 million contract, however, it wasn't enough to find his way into the starting lineup as Armstead started just one game for the Jaguars. Advertisement In large part, his lack of playtime and success can be attributed to the strange decision from the coaching staff to play Armstead at defensive end, despite his well-documented success along the interior. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< To add insult to injury, the Jaguars fielded the league's worst interior pass-rush, the area many thought Armstead was brought in to remedy. Despite the Jaguars signing one of the league's premier defensive tackles, not much really changed. Luckily, the new Jaguars' staff seems intent on letting Armstead move back inside, signing Emmanuel Ogbah to be the team's rotational pass-rusher in his place, along with the selection of Auburn's Jalen McLeod. Advertisement Unsurprisingly, Armstead performed much better inside than outside last season. According to NextGenStats, Armstead boasted a 10.5% pressure rate inside compared to his 8.3% at defensive end. His 10.5% pressure rate inside ranked pretty favorably and was comparable to both the Chiefs' Chris Jones (10.6%) and the Giants' Dexter Lawrence (9.6%), both of whom are multi-time All-Pros. As the season went on, Armstead looked to become more comfortable. From Week 10 on, Armstead was just as productive as the Jaguars' two starting defensive ends, Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker. Despite far fewer snaps, Armstead (24) fell just one pressure shy of Walker (25) and two shy of Hines-Allen (26). His 13.7% pressure rate over the last nine weeks led the team, as did Armstead's 16.2% pass-rush win rate, according to Pro Football Focus. Advertisement With a new defensive system, the transition back inside, and the opportunity for far more snaps, Arik Armstead has the ability to re-cement himself among the NFL's best defensive tackles. His hot streak to end the season might just continue into 2025, especially now that he has Walker and Hines-Allen beside him rather than in front of him. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
NFL.com mock draft has 49ers taking (another) Oregon DT in another attempt to fill DeForest Buckner/Arik Armstead-sized hole
One disappointing thing is the San Francisco 49ers pass rush. After 2024, it was clear they needed to do something to put someone opposite Nick Bosa, or they wouldn't get the quarterback as much as they'd want. That's where today's mock draft comes in from Gennaro Filice. He has the 49ers returning to the Oregon Ducks since that has worked so well in the past (Arik Armstead and DeForest Buckner) and taking defensive tackle Derrick Harmon. A player who has had rising stock since his ridiculous NFL Combine performance: Looking at San Francisco's current depth chart, it's shocking how unimposing the defensive line appears on paper. Yeah, the group is headlined by Nick Bosa, but beyond the perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate, where's the beef? The Niners are particularly thin on the interior. So let's give them a scheme-versatile D-lineman out of Oregon — remember Arik Armstead, 49er Faithful? — who has drawn the kind of subtle-yet-consistent praise throughout the pre-draft process that makes me believe he could go surprisingly high. Advertisement I remember Arik Armstead, I remember DeForest Buckner, and I remember the holes left by those two Oregon alumni. The more I read on Harmon, the more I like him. His being a Duck, when they have been very helpful to the 49ers defensive line, also helps. He's 6 foot 5 inches, 315 pounds, and ran a 40-yard dash in 4.95 seconds. That's just stupid. He can play multiple positions, so when the 49ers decide to do their yearly 'drop the D-lineman in coverage' play, he might also make it look somewhat serviceable. My issue is going to be his pass-rushing technique. He's a strong guy, but that alone isn't getting him to the top of the NFL. He also has a high pad level. That doesn't concern me much because I know another defensive lineman who struggled with that: DeForest Buckner. I'd be down for Harmon, but at 11, that's really where I'm skittish. The 49ers need either an offensive or a defensive lineman, and Harmon can fit the bill for the latter. His stock is rising largely from his terrific NFL Combine performance, which makes me a bit skeptical. If the 49ers could find a way to trade back a few spots and get him in the teens, I'd be all for that. Then again, if he's going to go late in the first round like some suggest, the 49ers could trade back into the first round to get him. Advertisement Or take him at 11. Do you think that's too much of a reach? More from
USA Today
17-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
DL Arik Armstead will announce Jaguars first round pick at 2025 NFL draft
DL Arik Armstead will announce Jaguars first round pick at 2025 NFL draft Jacksonville Jaguars' DL Arik Armstead will join Roger Goodell onstage at the 2025 NFL draft to announce the Jaguars' first-round selection. Jacksonville Jaguars' defensive lineman Arik Armstead will join Commissioner Roger Goodell onstage at the 2025 NFL draft to announce the Jaguars' first-round selection. The Jaguars hold the fifth overall pick in this year's draft. The most popular selection for them at that slot in mock drafts has been Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham, but running back Ashton Jeanty, tight end Tyler Warren, linebacker Jalon Walker, or offensive lineman Will Campbell are all other selections we've seen made as well. The 2024 season was Armstead's first with the Jaguars after signing as a free agent last offseason. He is a former first-round pick by San Francisco in the 2015 NFL draft. Armstead has totaled 35.5 sacks in his career, along with 331 total tackles, 46 tackles for loss, and 46 quarterback hits. For his work in the community, Armstead was named the NFL's Walter Payton Man of the Year this past year as well. "Since joining the Jaguars in 2024, Armstead has emerged as a leader in the Northeast Florida community, building on the philanthropic impact he's made throughout his 10-year career to improve the educational outcomes of youth across the country." Along with Armstead announcing the Jaguars' selection on Day 1, TJ Slaughter will be announcing Jacksonville's selections on Day 2. Slaughter was a third-round pick in 2000 by the Jaguars out of Southern Miss.
