The Greatest NFL Starting Job Thefts of All Time

GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 18: (2nd left) Offensive Coordinator Todd Haley of the Arizona Cardinals and (M) head coach Ken Whisenhunt talks with (R) quarterback Kurt Warner #13 as (L) quarterback Matt Leinart #7 stands behind and watches against the Philadelphia Eagles during the NFC championship game on January 18, 2009 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

15 of 32

JACKSONVILLE, FL – DECEMBER 10: Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks is tackled by Yannick Ngakoue #91 of the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second half of their game at EverBank Field on December 10, 2017 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Logan Bowles/Getty Images) /

Jacksonville Jaguars: Yannick Ngakoue takes over for Dante Fowler Jr.

The Jaguars took a shot in the 2016 NFL Draft on a couple of pass rushers to upgrade their defense, and proved to the rest of the league why you can never draft enough guys who can get after the quarterback.

Fowler was the centerpiece of the Jaguars’ rebuild, but an injury in his first camp as an NFL player significantly derailed his career and Ngakoue was there to clean up.

In his rookie season, Ngakoue racked up eight sacks and followed that up with a 12-sack season in the Jaguars’ stellar 2017 campaign.

He had a whopping 10 forced fumbles in his two seasons and while the Jaguars tried to be patient with Fowler, that patience eventually wore out with how well Ngakoue had played and how quickly Fowler’s rookie contract was coming to an end.

The Jaguars traded Fowler — the third overall pick in 2016 — to the Rams while Ngakoue stayed as a centerpiece of their defense.

Home/NFL Hot Takes