Can the Jaguars pick up a cornerback in the late rounds of the draft?

Even with the team’s recent moves in free agency, the Jacksonville Jaguars still need to find themselves a cornerback in the NFL Draft. Is a sleeper the answer?

Could the Jacksonville Jaguars find a cornerback later in the NFL Draft who has an impact on the team in his first season?

It is obvious that Jeffrey Okudah and C.J. Henderson are excellent cornerback candidates in the upcoming NFL draft. The Jaguars may not be in a position due to the number of players needed, to choose a cornerback in the early rounds.  So let’s look at two potential late-round players who could help the team in 2020.

The highly ranked cornerbacks will be scooped up in the first two or three rounds. The good news is that the Jaguars have plenty of draft picks after the third round that could give them the depth they need at the position.

Yannick Ngakoue (edge rusher) and Leon Jacobs (linebacker) are two multi-year starters the team found in later rounds. Let’s not forget, Gardner Minshew was another late-round pick. I found two potential late-round sleepers at the position the Jaguars may have a chance to select. They are Reggie Robinson from Tulsa and James Pierre from Florida Atlantic.

Robinson has a draft grade from the Combine of 5.80. He is projected to be chosen in rounds 3-5. This kind of prediction means he projects as a backup or special teams player.  He has great size at 6’1” and 205 pounds. His 40 yard dash time is 4.44.

"Per Lance Zierlein of NFL.com, “The size, length and ball production offer up hope, but Robinson’s lack of speed and athletic traits could prevent him from maintaining playmaking positioning as a pro. He has average instincts, but his length can be a disruptive factor in close quarters. If he can crank up his run-support intensity, he might get looks as a zone corner or a safety.”"

The Jaguars did add Darqueze Dennard from the Cincinnati Bengals this week in free agency and could still add more players for depth at the position. Still, if there is a player out there who fits what the defensive coaching staff is looking for, they have plenty of picks to make necessary additions.

Per Walter Football, Robinson is their 12th ranked cornerback on the board.

"“Robinson could get drafted higher than expected because he is a tall cornerback with speed and athleticism. He totaled four interceptions, 13 passes broken up and 38 tackles during his senior year,” the website’s scouting report reads. “Over previous three seasons, he totaled 21 passes broken up. Robinson has a good skill set and could develop into a starting outside cornerback. He’s a sleeper pick who could be a steal. “"

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Pierre was a cornerback at Florida Atlantic with a Combine grade of 5.50.  He is a true sleeper and could be a 6th-round draft choice ora free agent. He has good size at 6’ and 183 pounds. His 40-yard dash time was 4.59. He entered the draft after his junior year. He had 43 tackles and three interceptions. Zierlein also weighed in on Pierre’s chances in the NFL.

"“Outside cornerback with good size and length, but lacks the fundamentals needed to compete at the NFL level right now,” he wrote. “Right now, there are just flashes of elements needed to make it in the league, but there is still development to be had, which might work in his favor. Another season at FAU might have helped his cause, but his size, toughness in run support and potential to improve could make him a developmental Cover 2 cornerback with an early stay on the practice squad.”"

I look for size, speed, length, and comments about athleticism to determine the players that I profile. For high draft picks, I look for major college opponents, But for sleepers, I think the jewels will be found in smaller colleges. I look at the Combine grades and comments first and then check numerous other sites. I chose Robinson and Pierre because of their physical attributes. Both are described as raw but with potential. In addition, both are good against the run and would be able to contribute on special teams immediately.

They both could step in a possibly help the Jaguars in their first season in the NFL.