Josh Hines-Allen earns praise but falls short of elite status

Jacksonville Jaguars EDGE Josh Hines-Allen received attention from an NFC scout who called him 'not elite but consistently very good' leading into the 2026 season. Hines-Allen finished just outside ESPN's top 10 edge rushers list, noted for his 8.0 sacks and impressive 100 QB pressures last year. His performance earned him an 87.3 Pro Football Focus grade, second best on the Jaguars defense. To elevate his status this year, Hines-Allen must improve on his sack totals after two seasons of eight sacks. His contract, a five-year, $150 million extension, indicates expectations for his performance this fall.

• 4:02 AMYahoo Sports — ‘Not elite but' - Jaguars EDGE Josh Hines-Allen receives a backhanded compliment, and it should serve as motivation for him in 2026