Armstead: Former top pick ‘can be the best edge in the league’

The Jaguars have invested a lot into their defensive line over the past few years. 

This offseason, Jacksonville signed veteran defensive end Arik Armstead to a three-year, $51M contract.

Armstead should greatly improve the team’s pass rush with 33.5 sacks in his nine-year NFL career, but he has high expectations for his new teammate and former No. 1 overall pick Travon Walker.

“I think Travon can be the best edge in the league. He has that ability,” Armstead said, via Juston Lewis of the Florida Times-Union. “He had a tremendous year last year and I know he’s gonna have a tremendous year this year.”

Walker, the first overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, had a disappointing rookie season, registering just 3.5 sacks. However, the 23-year-old took a big jump last year, generating 10 sacks.

That is the type of production the Jaguars were hoping to get when they used the first pick in the draft on him.

Armstead believes Walker is just scratching the surface and, with his help, could be one of the best defenders in the league.

“(I’m) just trying to help him in any way I can. Give him some knowledge, showing him different things that I use and how I break down offensive linemen,” Armstead added. “Some techniques that I’ve used throughout the years that I think will be great for him, and even better, because I don’t have the skillset and athletic ability that he has.”

Walker is trending in the right direction, but there’s no arguing that his third season in the NFL will be his most important yet.

He will first have to surpass Josh Allen, who totaled the second-most sacks (17.5) in the league last season, as the best edge rusher in Jacksonville, but Armstead believes he is well on his way.

“I think the sky’s the limit for him and like I said, I think he can be the best edge in the league,” Armstead said. “He has that mindset too and I think I think he will be.”

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