Here are five things to know about Jalen McLeod, the Jacksonville Jaguars’ sixth round draft pick.
In the sixth round of the 2025 NFL draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars selected Auburn linebacker and pass rusher Jalen McLeod.
This addition brings some added versatility and flexibility to the front seven for defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile.
Let’s take a closer look at this selection with five things to know about McLeod.
McLeod adds a unique skill set to the Jaguars‘ defense
During McLeod’s college career, which spanned five seasons between Appalachian State and Auburn, the bulk of his playing time came at defensive end. However, to go along with his pass rush contributions, McLeod also played off-ball linebacker as well, including 180 snaps at that position last season.
As is the case for any rookie, there is going to be a learning curve for McLeod, and not all defensive end and linebacker responsibilities are going to be put on his plate right away. However, the long-term vision for him could be someone who plays the off-ball linebacker role on early or more obvious running downs, and then transitioning to pass rusher or blitzer during passing situations.
I would also expect that we see a lot of McLeod on special teams right away.
McLeod brings a different element to Jaguars’ pass rush unit
McLeod is listed as a linebacker by the Jaguars, but given his past experience, one would assume he’s going to rush the passer as well. And if so, he brings a different element to that defensive end position.
At 236 pounds, McLeod would easily be the lightest player at that position. Josh Hines-Allen is listed at 255, and everyone else at that position is well above that.
That speed element that McLeod can provide the Jaguars’ pass rush unit can act as a bit of a change-up, to use a baseball term. The combination of power and speed rushers that this unit can throw at offensive tackles can be a part of the equation when it comes to keeping blockers off balance.
We could also see added alignment flexibility up front, which could include McLeod on the field during those obvious passing downs with Travon Walker then moving inside.
As a sixth-round rookie, we may not see everything just described right away. Again, there will be a learning curve, but this could all be a part of the long-term vision that the Jaguars have for McLeod.
A productive pass rusher with steady production
Over his final three seasons, two of which came at Auburn and one at Appalachian State, McLeod’s pass rush production was steady. In all three seasons, he recorded six or seven sacks and generated between 32 and 37 pressures.
That consistency, particularly when it came to making the jump in competition from Appalachian State to the SEC, caught GM James Gladstone’s attention.
“Another thing here is when you think about it, right, one of the things I really value — I know Liam [Coen] does the same — but when a guy goes from a small school to a big school and you see production continue to pop, that is a meaningful element, and that’s something you can think back to guys that I’ve been a part of drafting in the past,” Gladstone said.
Of note, McLeod would also grade out well against the run by PFF’s metrics, but when it comes to playing defensive end, as mentioned, his opportunities–I would guess–come more so against the pass.
What GM James Gladstone had to say
“His competitiveness, his play demeanor, his urgency is phenomenal, and you take him, another who was deployed across the defensive front at Auburn, stood up off the ball,” Gladstone said via Jaguars on SI. “When he went to the Senior Bowl, all he did was stand up off the ball when one of the best elements of who he is being moved from one spot to the next and providing a spark, being able to gain an edge, a change of pace, rushing off the edge. That was one thing that he signed up to do at the Senior Bowl and wasn’t batting an eye at the fact that, hey, I don’t get to showcase what so many would call my super power, but I’m going to do this anyway because I love this sport, and I love getting out on the grass.”
Scouting report
Lance Zierlein: “Hungry, productive prospect who might need to prove he can fit into a role as an edge defender despite his lack of size and length. McLeod plays with the might of a player in a much bigger weight class. He’s technically sound at the point with fast hands and a quick discard of the block. He has aligned off-ball and diagnoses fairly quickly, but it will be hard to get around his athletic limitations in coverage, pursuit and as a tackler. It’s easy to discount McLeod based purely upon his traits, but he simply makes too many plays to ignore. He could make a team as a smaller 3-4 outside ‘backer.”