By Jordan Long
The NFL Draft is today. The Jaguars, though, decided to extend defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton’s contract for another 3 years.
Hamilton was originally selected by Jacksonville in the 3rd round of the 2020 draft. Jacksonville needed help on the defensive line, which would be key for them to succeed at not only stopping the run but putting pressure on the quarterback for them to win games.
Hamilton progressed as a player who can not only rush the quarterback but sack them at the defensive tackle position. With his pressures, that forces quarterbacks to throw the ball sooner than they want to which could be interceptions for Jacksonville’s secondary. He has taken down the quarterback 4.5 times in his career but that doesn’t include the amount of quarterback pressures.
The best part about Hamilton’s game is run defense. When opponents run the football, Hamilton can stop the running back for a loss. He totaled 132 tackles in his career. Last season, Hamilton had a career year with 2.5 sacks and 56 tackles, not including how many times he pressured the quarterback.
Jacksonville could have let him play this year under his rookie contract and given him a 5th-year option. They decided not to do that, agreeing to a 3-year extension worth $34.5 million. Of that $34.5 million, $23 million is guaranteed. The total value of the contract may increase to $36 million with incentives.
This is a large amount to pay a young player. Hamilton is 26 years old. Once this deal is over, he will be 30 years old. Jacksonville is hoping his numbers increase every year and he becomes one of the best defensive tackles in the league. That would help this defensive line become one of the best in the NFL.
The worst case is his numbers decline or he is injured. If that happens, Jacksonville may either want to trade him or let him go as a free agent. Right now, Jacksonville is looking at Hamilton as the future at defensive tackle.
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