Defense needs more out of rookie Bryan from UF

JACKSONVILLE — Instead of drafting a quarterback or tight end in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft, Jaguars executive vice president Tom Coughlin was impressed more by Taven Bryan’s quickness and flexibility to play both inside and outside on the defensive front.

Yet, with his rookie season now at the halfway point, the Jaguars are still waiting on the former Florida Gators defensive lineman to raise his level of play.

Bryan, the 29th overall pick in the first round, has largely been quiet — no breakout games, no sacks and not even a quarterback hit.

And Jaguars coach Doug Marrone needs far more than Bryan’s potential now with his 3-5 team in virtually a must-win situation on a four-game losing streak going into Sunday’s game at Indianapolis.

“I think we have to look at where all of those guys are and try to get the most production out of them,” Marrone said. “Like everybody else, right now, we are just not playing good football. I don’t want to get into a thing where you sit up here and it’s like, ‘How about this guy? How about that guy?’ The evaluation is simple: 3-5 [record].”

Bryan has impressive strength, but his inability to develop more effective pass-rush moves other than the bull rush has hampered his ability to get off blocks and make plays. He also has struggled to get himself to the right spots to make plays.

“I’m not worried about it; I’m figuring it out,” said Bryan, who totaled 67 tackles, 5 sacks and seven quarterback hurries in 36 career games for the Gators. “It’s just a bunch of little things that I need to get fixed and I’ll be good and ready to go.”

During the preseason, defensive end Calais Campbell said Bryan was the best rookie he’s played alongside because of his attitude and work ethic.

Asked earlier this week what Bryan needs to do to make a bigger impact over the final eight games, Campbell said he has to be more mentally focused.

“Being a rookie, he just have to lock in his assignments and technique and then the plays will come,” Campbell said. “This is the longest season that he’s ever played in his career. From the preseason to now, he’s played a full collegiate season already. So it’s kind of hard for rookies.”

Still, Bryan’s role could increase, along with those of Lerentee McCray and second-year defensive end Dawuane Smoot, resulting from the Jaguars trading Dante Fowler to the Los Angeles Rams last week in exchange for a third-round pick in 2019 and in 2020.

Marrone said he’ll have to see what kind of progress is made this week before a new rotation is determined behind defensive ends and starters Yannick Ngakoue and Campbell, who have combined for 10 of the Jaguars’ 19 sacks.

“Trust is earned, and I believe playing time is earned,” Marrone said. “We have to look to see where those guys are and figure out what’s the best combination because obviously it’s not working.”

Smoot, a third-round pick in 2017, has been a healthy scratch for all eight games. Last season he played in all 16 games and had 20 tackles.

“I’m coming to work mad every day but ready to grind,” said Smoot, who has been drawing scout-team reps in practices. “I just channel that energy and use it out there on the field. I feel I’ve gotten a lot better, and hopefully this week I will be able to show it.”

Having the ability to show more is Bryan’s incentive, too, especially this upcoming Sunday.

“You can’t worry about what everybody else is doing,” Bryan said. “You have to put your nose to the grindstone and see how it goes. It’s always frustrating with losing, but if you give up then you are a quitter. We still have a lot of games left and we’ll see what we got.” a fifthrounder