The Jaguars spent a ton of money to lure former Broncos defensive lineman and Tennessee graduate Malik Jackson to Jacksonville this offseason. However, based on recent comments by Jackson, he may not even be the team’s best defensive lineman this season.
In an interview with Kalyn Kahler of the MMQB, Jackson has clearly been impressed with “second-year” Jags lineman Dante Fowler and even compared him to arguably the best pass rusher in the game.
“Dante has a lot of energy,” Jackson said to Kahler. “He is a very cerebral player. To me, he is very Von (Miller)-esque. I’ve seen some of that in Dante. I think he can definitely be the same player. Just a lot of potential, we’ve just got to go out there and work together to get these sacks.”
Of course Fowler did not play last season after tearing his ACL in a preseason drill. He was selected No. 3 overall in the 2015 NFL Draft following a highly productive career with the Gators. Fowler left Florida after racking up 14.5 sacks and 33 tackles-for-loss in only three seasons in the Swamp.
Considering Jackson spent last season playing with Miller during the peak of his powers, it’s got to be an encouraging sign for Fowlers’ continued progress following his injury that cost him his initial NFL season.
A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Michael Wayne Bratton oversees the news coverage for Saturday Down South. Michael previously worked for FOX Sports and NFL.com
