Jacksonville Jaguars sign A.J. Bouye, immediately improving secondary
By Luke Sims
A.J. Bouye to the Jacksonville Jaguars seemed like a bit of a dream at times before free agency officially began, but it only took a few minutes for the team to sign him.
Set to be paired with stud cornerback Jalen Ramsey, A.J. Bouye’s signing with the Jacksonville Jaguars makes the secondary instantly better.
The Jags secondary has already gone through some changes and holes needed to be filled in free agency or the 2017 NFL Draft. The Jags cut Davon House, let Prince Amukamara walk and also let Johnathan Cyprien leave to the Tennessee Titans. Two of those holes have now been filled, Cyprien replaced by Barry Church and Amukamara replaced by Bouye.
Bouye to Jags. Done.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2017
AJ Bouye is getting 5-Years, $67.5M, $26M Fully Guaranteed - $13.5M Per Year, per Michael Wright.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2017
Bouye may be the most talented player in the secondary now, though Ramsey certainly gives him a run for his money. After a big 2016, Bouye’s value skyrocketed. Teams were hopeful he could continue to play at the same high level he displayed in his contract season.
Per @RapSheet, the Jaguars are closing in on signing A.J. Bouye.
— PFF (@PFF) March 9, 2017
Bouye took his game to new heights in 2016 and was our No. 3 CB. pic.twitter.com/ktnNv4G9bd
The expectations are high, but so is the production. Last season, Bouye had 16 passes defensed, an interception, a sack, and 48 tackles. He also allowed the sixth-lowest passer rating in the NFL per NFL Research.
MORE JAGS: THE NEW DEFENSIVE LINE IS TERRIFYING
The Jags are continuing to tailor a defense that already proved itself to be above average in 2016. Now they look poised to join the ranks of the better defenses in the NFL and, maybe, among the best.