Jaguars roster preview: Jalen McLeod on the rise heading into training camp

Between now and training camp, we will be going through the Jacksonville Jaguars’ full 90-man roster, previewing each player.

Up next is linebacker Jalen McLeod, who wears No. 35.

The Jaguars selected McLeod in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL draft. He was taken at 196th overall.

McLeod, unfortunately, did not play any snaps as a rookie, as he was sidelined with an ankle injury that he sustained during training camp. McLeod did return to practice late in the year, but he was never activated from injured reserve.

McLeod finds himself in a very crowded Jaguars’ linebacker room, where difficult decisions will have to be made. But where McLeod can separate himself from others is as a pass rusher.

He brings a similar skill set to the Jaguars’ defense as Dennis Gardeck, able to line up at linebacker or at defensive end and rush the quarterback, an area where Jacksonville needs more consistency behind Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker.

According to John Shipley of Jaguars on SI, McLeod was able to take advantage of his pass rush opportunities during offseason programs, setting himself up well for training camp.

“McLeod, though, was a real riser over the course of the offseason thanks to the traits he showed as a pass-rusher, with McLeod displaying the burst and bend that not many other players on the depth chart have,” Shipley wrote. “If McLeod can prove himself when pads come on, he could earn a real spot in the pass-rush rotation.”