K'Lavon

Chaisson

It is more than Mike Reiss predicted Chaisson would get in free agency, but he had to take a one-year deal to do it. Chaisson should be a starter on the edge for the Commanders, on the other side of the ball as Odafe Oweh. The defensive line has received a major makeover this tampering period in Washington.

It all finally clicked for Chaisson with the Patriots, where he posted a career high 7.5 sacks and 18 quarterback hits last year. It sounds like at that price range, other teams around the league view Chaisson as a starter at this point. Entering his age-27 season, it’s likely a team will get prime years from Chaisson in free agency.

The Patriots will also have OLB K’Lavon Chaisson (knee) on the field this weekend. Williams was active last week, but Chaisson was sidelined by the knee issue. Williams (16) and Chaisson (13) rank third and fourth on the team, respectively, in quarterback pressures and the two players tie for the second-most sacks (three).

Vrabel declined to comment on the health of his lineman and what led to his injury, but Williams was limited on Wednesday before being a DNP on Thursday, so it’s safe to assume he is legitimately questionable heading into the AFC East showdown against the Bills. Williams has totaled nine tackles and two sacks this season to go with five TFLs. In addition to Williams, Vrabel also said LB K’Lavon Chaisson (knee), CB Carlson Davis (illness), and LB Jahlani Tavai (calf) would all be questionable for Week 5.

Chaisson turned his career around in his one-off season with the Raiders last year, tying his career-high in quarterback pressures (29) and setting a career-high in sacks with six. Chaisson should continue to play well under Mike Vrabel’s tutelage in New England.

Chaisson is a former first-round pick of the Jaguars, totaling five sacks in four seasons. The Jags did not pick up his fifth-year option, sending him into free agency this offseason where he signed with the Panthers. He was let go by Carolina prior to the season’s start, and now the Raiders will try to get something out of him from the practice squad.

Less than a day removed from signing pass rusher D.J. Wonnum, the Panthers are once again adding to their revamped core of pass rushers with the signing of Chaisson. Chaisson was allowed to test free agency after the Jaguars opted to not exercise his fifth-year extension last offseason. The former first-round pick is somewhat a reclamation project, as he’s struggled to live up to his draft capital through four seasons. Injuries cut his 2022 season short, but in 57 career games, Chaisson has managed just 73 tackles and five sacks. His role will likely depend on how he performs in OTAs and training camp, as this looks like more of a one-year prove-it deal.

This decision doesn’t come as much of a surprise. Chaisson has just three sacks in 40 career games with the Jaguars and saw his 2022 season cut short by a meniscus injury suffered in Week 5. He made it back in time to play in the Jags’ final five games of the regular season, totaling 10 tackles and one sack over the stretch. The Jaguars made Chaisson the 20th overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft, and have received little for their investment. He’ll officially enter 2023 on a contract year.

Chaisson exited Sunday’s game against the Texans with a knee injury after being questionable with a knee injury heading into the week. Now heading for injured reserve, the former first-round draft pick won’t be eligible to return until Week 10. Chaisson has logged just 31 defensive snaps on the season.

Chaisson was questionable with a knee injury coming into the game, so it is likely the same knee. He didn’t appear in the stat sheet before leaving. Chaisson had played just 28 snaps in Jacksonville’s first four games of the season.