Switching positions from outside linebacker to defensive lineman with the Jacksonville Jaguars wasn’t De’Shaan Dixon’s idea, but he’s embracing it all the same.
“[Jaguars coaches] came to me during the offseason, just talking about how they thought it was best for me to switch positions to make the team,” Dixon told Jamal St. Cyr of News4Jax. “I was all in for it. They told me to gain some weight for it.
“I like playing inside. It’s definitely a new position for me so I’m definitely learning. … I like it. I like the change.”
Dixon, 24, earned a spot on the Jaguars’ 53-man roster last year as an undrafted rookie, but spent most of his first season in the NFL as a weekly healthy scratch. Now a 20-pounds-heavier version of Dixon is hoping to make the roster again in year two.
“There’s still a lot of stuff for me to work on as far as technique — pad level, stuff like that — but I like it. Like I said, it’s new for me, but I’m enjoying the process and I think I’m getting better at it every day.”
To make the roster, Dixon will have to beat out a bevy of newcomers on the defensive line. While starters Roy Robertson-Harris, DaVon Hamilton, and Folorunso Fatukasi all returned, the team added Tyler Lacy, Raymond Vohasek, Henry Mondeaux, and Michael Dogbe.
Dixon finished his collegiate career at Norfolk State with 14.5 sacks and 24.5 tackles for loss.
