JACKSONVILLE – The Jaguars like their defensive front.

That doesn't mean the work is complete. What it does mean is the Jaguars' new decision-makers have seen enough about the area to be encouraged.

"I think that whole group is about to take a jump," James Gladstone said.

Gladstone, the Jaguars' first-year general manager, discussed defensive line extensively when speaking to the media shortly after this past weekend's 2025 NFL Draft. And if many observers and fans were surprised the Jaguars did not address line with any of their nine '25 draft selections, the team hardly ignored the area over the weekend.

The Jaguars signed edge defender Emmanuel Ogbah as an unrestricted free agent Monday, and six of 20 collegiate free agents signed Monday were defensive linemen: James Carpenter of Indiana, Ethan Downs of Oklahoma, B.J. Green II of Colorado, Eli Mostaert of North Dakota State, Keivie Rose of Arkansas and Danny Striggow of Minnesota.

Returning along the line: Ends Travon Walker, Josh Hines-Allen and Myles Cole and tackles Arik Armstead, Maason Smith, Tyler Lacy and Jordan Jefferson.

"They're working their tails off right now, and you can tell that there's a connective element that's coming to life in a short period of time," Gladstone said.

Armstead, after playing outside extensively during his first season with the Jaguars, is expected to play inside in defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile's scheme four-three based scheme.

"We certainly look forward to seeing guys being in different positions than they've been in the past and that being an element that activates different sides of them," Gladstone said. "Their whole approach has been great so far, so we're looking forward to it."

NOTABLE

• Versatility mattered to the Jaguars in the '25 draft – and versatility at a specific position mattered when selecting linebacker Jalen McLeod in Round 6. McLeod at Auburn played "buck" linebacker, a hybrid defensive end/outside linebacker role. McLeod also will play what the Jaguars are calling "buck" linebacker and he is expected to compete with fourth-year veteran linebacker Devin Lloyd at the position. "His competitiveness, his play demeanor, his urgency, is phenomenal," Gladstone said of McLeod.

NOTABLE

• The Jaguars, who entered the offseason focused on reshaping and adding depth to the offensive line, did just that in free agency in the draft. They signed four players as free agents – guard Patrick Mekari, center Robert Hainsey, tackle Fred Johnson and lineman Chuma Edoga – with Mekari and Hainsey expected to start. They then selected guard Wyatt Milum in Round 3 and center Jonah Monheim in Round 7 this past weekend. "I can point back to just the importance of the offensive line," Gladstone said. "When you go through attrition that you typically do throughout the course of a season, it can be debilitating if it ends up striking at that spot. That's just something that I don't want to sacrifice or put ourselves in jeopardy for, and it's going to be a spot that we'll always look to pour more resources into." Gladstone added of the line, "It's a great group, and I look forward to seeing those guys begin to form some version of cohesiveness because it's often more than any one individual in particular at that position. I think finding the best five that work in tandem is going to be a fun thing here over the course of the offseason and into the regular season."

NOTABLE

• Coen spoke after the draft of the Jaguars' having improved their ability to score quickly with explosive plays. One reason for that was selecting wide receiver/defensive back Travis Hunter No. 2 overall – but perhaps equally important was selecting running back Bhayshul Tuten in Round 4. Tuten recorded the fastest 40-yard dash time among running backs at the NFL Scouting Combine, with Coen saying he and seventh-round running back LeQuint Allen each could play huge roles in 2025. "If you look at [Bhayshul] Tuten with the ability to strike from a distance, he can get to the second or third level and score from anywhere on the field," Coen said. "I think behind the line of scrimmage, forced missed tackles was through the roof for him in terms of getting back or at least getting yards after that contact behind the line of scrimmage." Coen called Allen "an interesting player" who can also play in the slot. "He can catch the ball out of the back field, good in the screen game. Competitor, man. This guy loves to play, loves to compete."