Jaguars Ranked Among Best Secondaries in the NFL
By David Levin
Let another debate begin. The Jacksonville Jaguars and the Minnesota Vikings have the best secondaries in the NFL. Which one is better than the other one is open for discussion.
In a recent story on NFL.com, the Jacksonville Jaguars and Minnesota Vikings tied for the best secondary in the league, both teams receiving two votes from a panel of four judges. The two teams will meet in Week 2 of the preseason, but that may not settle the debate given the starters for each team won’t see a lot of playing time.
It’s one of those questions NFL pundits and fans will be asked all season.
"“I have to go with the team that has the best cornerback tandem in the league. Jacksonville’s Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye allowed the lowest passer rating when targeted in 2017 of any duo in the league, and it feels like both guys will only get better,” former NFL running back Reggie Bush said.“This secondary also reaps the benefits of playing behind a monster defensive line that features Calais Campbell, Yannick Ngakoue, and Malik Jackson. The pressure applied up front allows the DBs to jump routes and stay aggressive.”"
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It’s not just the cornerbacks that made the Jaguars such an elite unit in 2017. Safeties Barry Church and Tashaun Gipson were solid in their own right.
Each had four interceptions on the season. Church had 88 tackles and 1.5 sacks.
Church signed as a free agent from the Dallas Cowboys last offseason.
Gipson, who came over from the Cleveland Browns two seasons ago. He had 75 total tackles. Both made a case to join their teammates at the Pro Bowl in Orlando.
Brian Baldinger gave the nod to Jacksonville, saying as a unit the secondary is the best based on its depth as well as the starting four.
"“The Jaguars have great depth on the third level of the defense, with Ramsey and Bouye at cornerback and [Tashaun] Gipson and [Barry] Church at safety. Gipson is a smart, durable, pure free safety, while Church is a physical presence inside,” Baldinger explained.“I really like rookie safety Ronnie Harrison out of Alabama, as well. He’s a big hitter and has a real chance to see time on the field. Doug Marrone could also find a solid nickel corner in free-agent acquisition D.J. Hayden.”"
The Jaguars may have more depth with this unit as Tyler Patmon played well in Ramsey’s absence at the beginning of training camp. He could challenge for the nickel cornerback spot.
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Tre Herndon, a rookie out of Vanderbilt, has also shown flashes in training camp and has an outside shot at making the team.