Jacksonville Jaguars DC Ryan Nielsen is ecstatic to use his new defensive weapon in 2024

Last season, the Jacksonville Jaguars' defensive struggles were evident, often leading to game losses. In response, head coach Doug Pederson took a decisive step, parting ways with former defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell. The team's new hire, Ryan Nielsen, a former defensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons, brings a fresh perspective and a promise of defensive improvement.

Now, the offense has to hold its end of the bargain as well, which it didn't do last season, but it's expected that it will be much better as well. But with Nielsen in town now, the defense should be improved because he was a great defensive coordinator in Atlanta. He didn't get fired but knew that new head coach Raheem Morris would bring in his own staff.

The Jaguars have all the pieces to have an elite defense - not necessarily a top-three unit, but one that can compete with the best offenses in the league, which they were far from last year. They added Arik Armstead, Darnell Savage, and some other pieces, along with giving Josh Allen a new contract. And they have a defensive weapon that is a bit underrated and that no one is talking about.

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Under Nielsen's leadership, the Falcons employed man defense 58.3% of the time, the third highest in the league. This starkly contrasts with the Jaguars' defensive approach under Caldwell, who favored man defense just 31.8% of the time, ranking 31st in the league. This strategic shift under Nielsen's tenure promises a significantly different defensive style for the Jaguars this season.

One player who could thrive under the new defensive strategy is Tyson Campbell. Already impressing his new defensive coordinator, Campbell has the potential to be a standout player in the upcoming season, adding an exciting element to the Jaguars' defense.

"We're excited about him. Heck of an athlete. There's nothing he can't do athletically. Really a smart player, and picked our stuff up," Nielsen said on Monday. "Our guys have done a great job of teaching him, fundamentals, technique, and then how he can operate within the scheme. Obviously, we haven't played any plays yet, today's [Monday] day one. So, we'll go out and evaluate him again, but we're excited about him."

Campbell was on track to have a special season last year. He was entering the territory of being labeled as a shutdown cornerback. But, in Week 6, he dealt with a hamstring injury that really nagged him for much of the season. Campbell, the No. 33 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, has had a great career so far by showing he can be elite and was worth the near first-round pick.

Now that Tyson Campbell is back in full health, the team is eager to unleash his potential in the press-man defense. His athleticism and body control make him a promising candidate for a shutdown corner position. With Nielsen's enthusiasm about Campbell, it's clear that the Jaguars have a hidden gem in their defensive arsenal, ready to make a significant impact in the upcoming seasons.

Related: Jaguars DC Ryan Nielsen described what his defensive unit will be about in 2024