Jacksonville Jaguars’ Defensive Interior Seeks to Dominate Run Game

As the Jacksonville Jaguars prepare for a 2025 season with Super Bowl aspirations, one of their top priorities is shoring up a defensive interior that aims to become a nightmare for opposing rushing attacks. Jacksonville Jaguars’ Defensive Interior Seeks to Dominate Run Game highlights a group of linemen—led by veteran nose tackle DaVon Hamilton and defensive tackle Foley Fatukasi—who combine size, strength, and football IQ to clog running lanes, stuff ball carriers at the line of scrimmage, and set the tone for the entire defense. After finishing 12th in the NFL in run defense in 2024 (allowing 112 yards per game), the Jaguars have made deliberate moves to upgrade this unit, including re-signing Hamilton to a three-year, $45 million contract and adding rotational depth in free agency. For a team that faces AFC rivals like the Baltimore Ravens (who led the NFL in rushing in 2024) and the Cleveland Browns (featuring star running back Nick Chubb), dominating the run game isn’t just a goal—it’s a necessity to slow down high-powered offenses and keep their own defense fresh. Jacksonville Jaguars’ Defensive Interior Seeks to Dominate Run Game also reflects defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile’s philosophy: stop the run first, then force quarterbacks into predictable passing situations. This article explores the key players in the Jaguars’ defensive interior, their strengths, and how they’re working to become one of the NFL’s top run-stopping units.

Jacksonville Jaguars’ Defensive Interior Seeks to Dominate Run Game begins with the unit’s anchor: DaVon Hamilton. Entering his sixth NFL season, Hamilton has established himself as one of the league’s most underrated nose tackles, using his 6’4”, 320-pound frame to occupy multiple blockers and create opportunities for linebackers like Foyesade Oluokun to make tackles. In 2024, Hamilton recorded 42 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks, but his biggest impact came in run defense—he graded out at 78.2 in run stopping by Pro Football Focus, ranking 8th among all interior defensive linemen. This off-season, Hamilton focused on improving his lateral quickness, working with strength and conditioning coaches to enhance his ability to shift between gaps and pursue ball carriers outside the tackle box. The results were evident in training camp: during a scrimmage against the Jaguars’ offense, Hamilton split a double team from guards Ben Bartch and Brandon Scherff, stuffed running back Travis Etienne Jr. for a 2-yard loss, and forced a third-and-long. “DaVon is the heart of our defensive interior,” Campanile said during a post-practice interview. “He’s not just a space-eater—he’s a playmaker who can disrupt runs and pressure the quarterback when we need him. When he’s playing at his best, our entire defense is better.” Complementing Hamilton is Foley Fatukasi, a 6’4”, 340-pound defensive tackle known for his brute strength. Fatukasi, who joined the Jaguars in 2024, recorded 38 tackles and 2 tackles for loss last season, and he’s become a key rotational player in run-heavy packages. Together, Hamilton and Fatukasi form a duo that can overwhelm opposing offensive lines and set the edge for the Jaguars’ run defense.

Jacksonville Jaguars’ Defensive Interior Seeks to Dominate Run Game also shines a light on the unit’s depth—a critical factor in sustaining success throughout a long NFL season. Behind Hamilton and Fatukasi, the Jaguars have added rotational linemen like Tyler Shelvin (a 2023 fourth-round pick) and free-agent signing Shelby Harris, who bring different skills to the table. Shelvin, a 6’2”, 345-pound nose tackle, specializes in plugging the A-gap and stopping goal-line runs, while Harris (6’2”, 290 pounds) adds pass-rushing ability to the mix, having recorded 21 sacks in his career. This depth was on full display during the Jaguars’ preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Hamilton started and played 25 snaps, recording 3 tackles and a tackle for loss; Fatukasi came in next, stuffing Buccaneers running back Rachaad White for no gain on a third-and-1; and Shelvin closed out the second half, stopping a 2-point conversion attempt by occupying two blockers and letting linebacker Chad Muma make the tackle. “Depth in the defensive interior is non-negotiable if you want to dominate the run game,” said defensive line coach Tosh Lupoi. “You can’t ask your starters to play 70 snaps a game—they’ll wear down. Having guys like Tyler and Shelby who can step in and perform at a high level lets us keep the pressure on opposing offenses all game long.” The Jaguars’ depth also allows Campanile to use different packages: in base sets, they deploy Hamilton and Fatukasi to stop the run; in nickel packages, they bring in Harris to add pass-rushing threat; and in goal-line situations, they use Shelvin to clog the middle. This versatility makes the Jaguars’ defensive interior hard to game-plan against, as opposing teams can’t predict which linemen will be on the field or how they’ll align.

Jacksonville Jaguars’ Defensive Interior Seeks to Dominate Run Game underscores the Jacksonville Jaguars’ focus on stopping elite rushing attacks—a priority born from painful lessons in 2024. Last season, the Jaguars lost both games against the Ravens, who rushed for 212 and 198 yards in those contests, and they allowed over 150 rushing yards to the Browns and the Tennessee Titans. This year, with an upgraded defensive interior, the Jaguars aim to flip that script. During a joint practice with the Ravens in August, the Jaguars’ defensive line held Baltimore’s rushing attack to just 3.2 yards per carry in team drills, with Hamilton and Fatukasi combining to stuff running back Gus Edwards for three consecutive 1-yard gains. “Stopping teams like the Ravens and Browns isn’t just about talent—it’s about technique and discipline,” Hamilton said after the practice. “We have to stay low, maintain our gaps, and trust our teammates to make plays. If we do that, we can slow down any rushing attack in the league.” The Jacksonville Jaguars’ focus on stopping elite rushing attacks is even more critical this season, as they face the Ravens, Browns, and Titans twice each. By dominating the run game against these teams, the Jaguars can control the clock, limit opposing possessions, and give their own offense more opportunities to score. This strategy was a key part of the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl run in 2024, and the Jaguars hope to replicate it with their own defensive interior.

Jacksonville Jaguars’ Defensive Interior Seeks to Dominate Run Game also highlights the Jacksonville Jaguars’ commitment to building a physical defense—a trait that head coach Doug Pederson believes is essential for winning in the NFL. Pederson, who won a Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2017, has always prioritized physicality on both sides of the ball, and the defensive interior is a reflection of that philosophy. “Football is a physical game, and you have to be able to impose your will on the opponent,” Pederson said during a team meeting in training camp. “Our defensive interior is the group that sets that tone. When they can stop the run, they send a message to the other team that we’re not going to let them push us around.” The Jaguars’ commitment to physicality is evident in their player personnel: all of their top defensive interior linemen weigh over 300 pounds, and they’ve invested in strength and conditioning programs that emphasize power and durability. This focus has paid off in preseason, where the Jaguars’ defensive interior has averaged 6.5 tackles for loss per game and held opposing running backs to just 3.8 yards per carry. “We take pride in being physical,” Fatukasi said. “Every time we step on the field, we want the other team to know they’re in for a fight. Whether it’s a 3-yard run or a goal-line stand, we’re going to bring our best every play.” The Jacksonville Jaguars’ commitment to building a physical defense isn’t just about stopping the run—it’s about creating a culture of toughness that permeates the entire team, from the defensive line to the special teams unit.

Jacksonville Jaguars’ Defensive Interior Seeks to Dominate Run Game concludes with the Jacksonville Jaguars’ goal of using their defensive interior to fuel a Super Bowl run. In the NFL, teams that win championships almost always have strong run defenses—they can control the tempo of games, limit turnovers, and keep their own offense on the field. The Jaguars believe their defensive interior has the potential to be that kind of unit, and they’ve made it a priority to ensure they’re ready for the biggest games of the season. “Our defensive interior is going to be the key to our success in the playoffs,” general manager Trent Baalke said as the regular season approached. “When you’re playing in January, the weather gets colder, and teams rely more on the run. If we can dominate the run game, we can win any game, anywhere.” The Jaguars’ goal is shared by the players in the defensive interior, who have spent countless hours preparing for the challenges ahead. “We know what’s at stake,” Hamilton said. “This team has the talent to win a Super Bowl, and our job in the defensive interior is to set the foundation for that. Every practice, every snap, we’re working to get better, to stop the run, and to help this team bring a championship to Jacksonville. That’s our mission.” Jacksonville Jaguars’ Defensive Interior Seeks to Dominate Run Game isn’t just a story about a group of linemen—it’s a testament to the Jaguars’ strategic vision, their commitment to physicality, and their belief in building a team that can compete with the best in the NFL. As the regular season begins, all eyes will be on the Jaguars’ defensive interior, and they’ll be ready to prove they can dominate the run game and lead the team to glory.