The prize of Jacksonville’s offseason free agency class, defensive lineman Arik Armstead put together his best game in a Jaguars uniform on Sunday against the New England Patriots.
While the box score suggests a decent game from the veteran lineman — two tackles with one for loss — he played a crucial part in Jacksonville’s pass rush success against New England and its rookie quarterback, Drake Maye.
Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson suggested Armstead’s showing stemmed from his improved comfort level seven games into his Jacksonville tenure, as he entered the campaign recovering from offseason knee surgery on an injury he experienced with the San Francisco 49ers last year. As a result, he did not appear in the preseason this past August.
“I think he’s getting his, kind of his game legs,” Pederson said Monday.
Armstead posted a season-high three quarterback pressures, including one hit, with a 12% pressure rate over 25 pass rush snaps, according to NFL Pro. He also recorded two run stops, as both of his tackles resulted in a negative rushing play for the Patriots.
Arik Armstead (@arikarmstead) strikes with violent hands & knocks his block back. Shows great lateral movement while controlling his gap. Gets to the RB for the TFL! #StopTheRun #DUUUVAL pic.twitter.com/mQHigM7JVm
— DLineVids (@dlinevids1) October 22, 2024
Armstead, who primarily played defensive tackle for the 49ers but has transitioned mainly to the edge with the Jaguars, notably played along the interior defensive line more against the Patriots than in previous games this season.
Per John Shipley of Sports Illustrated, Armstead had a season-high 20 snaps at defensive tackle and a year-low nine snaps at defensive end against New England. NFL Pro credits Armstead with an 8.3% season-long pressure rate at tackle compared to five percent on the edge.
“I think he’s obviously he’s a really good interior D-lineman – that’s where he’s made the bulk of his success is coming from inside as a three-technique, especially in nickel pass-down situations, and he showed that yesterday. He did a nice job on the guard,” Pederson noted. “He had one of the higher-pressure rates yesterday. So, he’s doing a good job.
“We keep working with him outside too. It’s a little bit of a new position for him on the outside, particularly in first and second-down situations. But he’s a veteran player that we count on, and we rely on.
Armstead is relied upon by Jacksonville not only for his improving production but also for experience and leadership qualities, per Pederson.
“He’s been great too for [defensive ends] Josh [Hines-Allen] and Travon [Walker] and [rookie defensive end] Myles Cole,” Pederson said. “Some of the younger players as well, teaching them just what it takes to be a pro.”
