Tashaun Gipson chose wisely by going to Jacksonville

Heading into the offseason, many fans of the Jacksonville Jaguars had their eyes set on one player in the 2016 NFL Draft – Florida State defensive back Jalen Ramsey.

Why?

Well, the Jaguars have been bad and sometimes downright awful on defense and it’s been primarily because of a lack of talent at key positions. Pass rushing has been an issue and still needs to be addressed, but the most important position in head coach Gus Bradley’s defensive scheme might be free safety, a spot held down at an All Pro level by Earl Thomas in Seattle.

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Ramsey looks like a monumental talent and a player capable of handling the entire back end of a defense as a rangy safety.

Now, the hope of Ramsey making it to the number 5 overall pick is dwindling.

Thankfully, that’s no reason to panic because the Jaguars have potentially found their answer to free safety in free agent signing Tashaun Gipson.

Before being hampered by injuries in 2015, Gipson was one of the most impactful safeties in the entire league. His production dipped last year but nobody on the Cleveland Browns defense looked good in 2015.

Gipson spoke intelligently and eloquently in his opening press conference, highlighting how savvy of a move it was for both he and the Jaguars to make this signing. Matt Bowen over at ESPN thinks Gipson made one of the best decisions in free agency by coming to Jacksonville.

"Gipson has the range and ball skills (14 career interceptions in four seasons) to take that next step in Gus Bradley’s system in Jacksonville. He’s going to be that single-high safety over the top in Cover 3 (three-deep, four-under) and Cover 1 (man-free). Close the seam and the post, drive downhill on the dig route, overlap the fade — just be a ball player in the deep middle of the field. I love the scheme for Gipson and the coaching he’s going to get in Jacksonville. Plus, with the addition of Malik Jackson, the return of Dante Fowler Jr. and a possible impact rookie at No. 5 (Myles Jack, perhaps?), the Jags are building a defense with speed and athleticism up front. That makes the ball come out quicker and fall into the lap of the free safety. Gipson got some love in Cleveland for making plays on the ball, but signing with the Jags could make the free safety a name everyone recognizes."

Gipson’s upside in Jacksonville is enormously high because he’s going to be asked to do what he does best – run around and make plays on the ball. The Jaguars have been comically ineffective at intercepting the football and Gipson is a player who could lead the league in picks if he gets enough opportunities.

Gipson was one of my favorite signings because it addressed an enormous position of need and it showed the willingness to swing for the fences on a player who could make a huge impact if healthy. It’s a smart move by all parties involved.

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