JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Josh Hines-Allen is expecting a big season.
One of his former teammates is expecting it, too.
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Hines-Allen, one of Jacksonville’s longest-tenured players behind punter Logan Cooke, is unquestionably a cornerstone player for the Jaguars. He broke the franchise’s all-time sack record last year and came in ranked as the league’s No. 48 player in the NFL 100 this season.
Hines-Allen expects quite a bit from himself. Opposing players are on board with a big season from Hines-Allen, too.
“I actually got, surprisingly, great text this morning from [Ravens DL] Calais Campbell,” Hines-Allen said. “Right before I went out to practice, man, he said, ‘I love you, Josh. You’re going to lead the league in sacks this year.’ For me, it’s just even more validation that I’m on the right path mentally.”
Hines-Allen had 17.5 sacks in a contract year in 2023. His sack totals dipped to eight the following two seasons. But sack totals don’t tell the full picture of Hines-Allen’s effectiveness. His 80 quarterback pressures last year were tied for fourth in the NFL last season. This year, it’s all about finishing those pressures with sacks.
“I always tell the guys, man, football, when you get to a point, pass rushing becomes reactionary,” Hines-Allen said.
“You come in with a plan, you rush with a plan, but if your plan doesn’t work, what is your reaction to it? Because everybody loses, but when that person stops you, what does it look like? How do you respond to that? And I think that’s what kind of makes those split-second decisions a lot faster, so do what you have to do.”
Hines-Allen said that he’s appreciative of his peers from around the league recognizing how much he works on his craft, but that he’s not done ascending just yet.
“I’m appreciative, but I play the game to be the best in the world, so it’s just a step closer I would say. But it’s motivating and I just have to keep it up,” he said.
QB tracker
Trevor Lawrence: 7 for 13, interception.
Nick Mullens: 8 for 12, interception.
Carter Bradley: 1 for 2.
Joey Aguilar: 0 for 2.
RB tracker
Bhayshul Tuten: Seven carries, all with Trevor Lawrence.
LeQuint Allen Jr.: Two carries, both with Lawrence.
Ameer Abdullah: Five carries, all from Nick Mullens.
DeeJay Dallas: Three carries, all from Mullens.
J’Mari Taylor: Two carries; 1 from Carter Bradley and 1 from Joey Aguilar.
Kick tracker
Cam Little: 4-4.
Play of the day
- Offensive standout: Parker Washington was on one. No. 11 was up to his normal antics at this point. Just making big plays. Washington and Lawrence just have a different level of connection. Washington’s best play came on a back shoulder throw from Lawrence that saw Buster Brown all over him in coverage. Washington was able to get back around and make the play.
- Defensive standout: Rayuan Lane came up with an interception off Lawrence. That is an interception on both days of camp so far for QB1. But more importantly for Lane, it was a really nice play. Lane had crazy turnover production in college. Last season, he was a standout on special teams. Now, could he find a way to force his name into the competition at safety? Maybe. If he keeps making plays like that, I wouldn’t sleep on it.
- Injury update: Jack Kiser has a right knee injury, and he will return before the end of camp.
- Worth watching: Ventrell Miller and Caleb Ransaw both got checked on by the trainers at points during practice. Both were able to return to the field, but it is something worth keeping an eye on.
- Ventrell Miller came up with an interception during practice off Nick Mullens. Making plays like that will be huge for Miller. When he has had opportunities to play, it was routine to see him knife into the backfield to make stops in the running game. If he can show he can make plays against the pass as well, that will lock him in as a starter.
- Another day, another Travon Walker sack. Coen challenged Walker to wreck his practice. He hasn’t quite wrecked it, but I would say for sure that he has caused problems.
- One of the biggest unknowns in the Jaguars draft class is Zach Durfee. He was ESPN’s Prospect X. Well, he flashed some pass rush juice. Getting a quick win that would have let him sack Lawrence.