For the second year in a row, the Jaguars have reported another big extension just before the NFL Draft. This year’s recipient is fourth-year defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the new contract is essentially a three-year deal worth $34.5MM. He’ll get a fully guaranteed amount of $23MM and have an opportunity to push the maximum value of the contract to $36MM through incentives. 
Hamilton is being rewarded for an extremely strong season after his third year in the league. The former third-round pick out of Ohio State had found starting opportunities over his first two years in the league but took over as a full-time starter in 2022. With an increased snap percentage, Hamilton recorded career-highs in total tackles (56), tackles for loss (5), sacks (2.5), quarterback hits (6), and forced fumbles (1).
Hamilton is regarded as one of the better pass rushing interior lineman in the NFL, grading out with the 20th-best pass rush grade among the position, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required). He graded out as the 26th-best interior defender overall for 2023.
Jacksonville has worked hard to keep last year’s defense line intact, extending starter Roy Robertson-Harris in February, re-signing rotation lineman Adam Gotsis, and signing another rotation piece, Nick Thurman, to a reserve/futures contract at the end of the season. They also return a regular contributor in Folorunso Fatukasi, who signed with the team last year.
With a three-man defensive line, the Jaguars are expected to field Hamilton in the center with Robertson-Harris and Fatukasi on the ends. They may explore some depth options at the position in the draft or free agency, but their top contributors for the next two years, at least, have been established with today’s deal.
Doug Pederson is doing big things down in Duval. Defense is solid, offense is slapping, and the division is weak. Playoff bound for the foreseeable future.