Summary

K’Lavon Chaisson was selected in Round 1 (#20 Overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft out of LSU, where he was a key contributor on the Tigers’ 2019 National Championship team. Coming out of college, Chaisson was viewed as a high-upside, traits-based edge defender with explosive athleticism, pass-rush juice, and positional versatility, though his résumé leaned more on disruption and flashes than sustained production. His early NFL career was marked by inconsistency, with limited sack output and an undefined role across multiple defensive systems. After stops with Jacksonville, Carolina, and Las Vegas, Chaisson resurfaced with the New England Patriots and showed signs of revitalization. Through the 2025 season, he has compiled 17.5 career sacks, with his most productive stretch coming in New England, where he set career highs in pressures and sacks while emerging as a reliable rotational edge presence. His Patriots tenure highlighted improved confidence, urgency as a finisher, and better utilization within defined pass-rush roles.

Strengths

• First-Step Burst: Explosive get-off allows him to threaten the edge quickly and stress tackles vertically. Effective in obvious passing situations where his athletic traits are maximized.

• Pass-Rush Athleticism: Possesses bend, flexibility, and acceleration to flatten to the quarterback. Has produced splash plays, including forced fumbles and a defensive touchdown

• Arrows in the Quiver: As his career has progressed, he’s added multiple moves, including dip-and-rip, swim, and speed-to-power.

• Mental Resilience: Career arc reflects perseverance and adaptability after early adversity. Plays with urgency and chases plays downfield and finishes when given opportunities.

Weaknesses

• Consistency: Production has come in spurts rather than sustained dominance, making him a bit of a gamble when it comes to free agency contract projection.

• Plan B, C, D: Rush moves can stall when initial plan is disrupted by veteran tackles and any sacks when the passer holds onto the ball come from pure effort.

• Play Strength: Can be displaced at the point of attack by physical offensive linemen. Still developing edge-setting strength and block deconstruction versus the run.

• Shedding the “Bust” Label: Did not meet first-round expectations early, impacting long-term perception. His early career viral videos of him training on the beach made him a bit of target, especially among the Jaguars fanbase.

Outlook

Chaisson fits best in New England’s multiple front as a designated edge rusher, particularly in sub-packages where his burst and athleticism can be featured without overexposing him against downhill run concepts. He profiles as a rotational EDGE2/EDGE3 with the ability to tilt protection schemes on passing downs and complement more physical early-down defenders. His presence allows the Patriots to generate pressure without relying exclusively on blitz-heavy calls. Looking ahead, Chaisson’s ceiling hinges on continued technical refinement and improved consistency against both the pass and the run. While he may never develop into a true every-down dominant edge, his recent growth suggests he can be a meaningful contributor and high-end situational rusher. With sustained health and defined usage, Chaisson projects as a late-blooming defender capable of delivering impactful pass-rush production, which is usually heavily-sought trait when it comes to free agency.