The Jaguars' draft disappointment squandered a second opportunity almost instantly.

The Jacksonville Jaguars have experienced their share of first-round draft disappointments, yet one of the more peculiar failures in recent years is the case of former LSU standout pass rusher K'Lavon Chaisson. On paper, he possesses the speed and inherent athletic ability required to develop into a top-tier professional player.

 Selected 20th overall in the 2020 NFL Draft, Jacksonville chose to overlook his total of 9.5 sacks accumulated over three seasons in college. His agility around the edge and inherent potential suggested he could become a standout player. However, he was unable to progress to the next level, despite the Jaguars' extensive efforts to facilitate his development. Consequently, Chaisson's performance has rendered him one of the most disappointing selections in the franchise's history. The Carolina Panthers offered him a final opportunity to prove himself, yet they too have recognized that Chaisson is unlikely to succeed at the professional level. The Panthers ultimately released him just days prior to their season opener, thwarting his anticipated resurgence in a new city. While the Jaguars may not have fully nurtured his abilities, this situation illustrates that even in a different setting, Chaisson lacked the necessary skills to thrive in the NFL.

The former Jaguars player K'Lavon Chaisson has been released by the struggling Panthers. Over the course of 57 games in four seasons, Chaisson recorded only five sacks, failing to exceed two sacks in any single season. He managed to surpass 20 tackles only once, during the tumultuous year under Urban Meyer, a period that the fanbase prefers to forget. The NFL has indicated that Chaisson's achievements at LSU were largely attributed to his role within a specific scheme. When required to adapt beyond that framework, he encountered significant challenges in achieving consistent success. After the 2023 season, Jacksonville decided to part ways with him, and the Panthers took a chance on him as a low-risk investment.

The situation surrounding Chaisson's release is particularly disheartening, given the context in which it occurs. The Carolina Panthers secured only two victories last season and are widely recognized as possessing one of the least effective groups of defensive linemen and pass rushers in the league, especially following the trade of Brian Burns. The fact that Chaisson could not secure a position on this struggling team is telling. The Jaguars had envisioned a promising future with a pass rush duo of him and Josh Hines-Allen. While Hines-Allen achieved 45 sacks over five years and received a substantial new contract, Chaisson's inability to contribute to the league's weakest team in its most critical area of need highlights a significant decline in his career.