Jaguars sign former Chiefs linebackers Ramik Wilson, D.J. Alexander

The Jacksonville Jaguars signed three new linebackers to the roster on Wednesday including two former Chiefs.

The Jacksonville Jaguars have added three new veteran linebackers to their roster on Wednesday in the aftermath of the 2019 NFL Draft. Both D.J. Alexander and Ramik Wilson are now members of the Jags, along with Najee Goode, as all players involved hope to stick as important veteran pieces on a fairly young defense looking to finds its swagger once again.

Last year, the Jags defense fell off in a major way from the impressive showing the unit put on in 2017. The team dipped from a 10-6 record in 2017 to 5-11 last year, a drop from first to last in the AFC South, and the defense was unable to replicate the tremendous showing from the previous year. Two seasons ago, the Jags allowed only 268 points all season whereas they allowed almost 50 points more in 2018.

Wilson, Alexander, and Goode join the Jags in their efforts to deepen the defensive side of the ball. Wilson entered the NFL as a fourth round pick of the Kansas City Chiefs back in 2015. He played in 30 total games for K.C. and made 17 starts over the course of three seasons. He had 111 total tackles in that time as a part-time starter and special teams ace who returned 2 of 4 fumble recoveries for touchdowns in that time. Wilson was allowed to leave and signed a one-year deal with the L.A. Rams, playing the same sort of role for Sean McVay’s club and earning a Super Bowl appearance in the process.

Alexander was a Pro Bowl special teamer in his second season with the Chiefs, but was flipped to the Seattle Seahawks for another linebacker in Kevin Pierre-Louis before the 2017 season. He spent one year in Seattle and the Philadelphia Eagles claimed him on waivers before the 2018 season began. He played special teams in 12 games for the Eagles last year.

Wilson, who will be 27 this season, brings a smart, experienced player to the mix at linebacker who can step inside and start in a pinch while also captaining special teams units. He had 35 tackles in 4 starts last year for the Rams.