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Tyson Alualu, Defensive tackle

JAGUARS COACH Jack Del Rio has built his reputation in Jacksonville on strong defenses. He has fielded units that have ranked sixth or higher in three of his seven years and directed the NFL's second-best defense in 2006. But last year his rep was seriously damaged by a unit that finished 23rd overall.

The '09 group was especially bad against the run, allowing 116.4 yards per game—including a woeful 154.5 over the last four games. To help stanch the bleeding, the Jaguars went hard after tackles in the draft. They selected Cal's Alualu 10th overall, then snagged Louisiana Tech's D'Anthony Smith with their next pick, in the third round. (The consecutive selections marked the third straight year in which the Jags used their first two draft picks on the same position: In '09 they took offensive tackles Eugene Monroe and Eben Britton, and in '08 they drafted defensive ends Derrick Harvey and Quentin Groves.) Add to that mix free-agent defensive end Aaron Kampman—a two-time Pro Bowl pick who is rebounding from reconstructive knee surgery—and the Jags will field a far more athletic line than they did last year.

Alualu might be their most versatile lineman. Although listed as a tackle, he has tweener size (6' 3", 304 pounds) and his high motor and explosiveness make him a natural at end. No matter where Alualu, who had a team-high 7½ sacks as a senior at Cal, lines up, the Jags will be counting on him to help turn up the pressure after having a league-low 14 sacks in '09. "We feel our front is a whole lot better, and it has to be," says Del Rio. His reputation—and his job—may depend on it.