The Jacksonville Jaguars select C.J. Henderson, Cornerback, Florida

The Jacksonville Jaguars add secondary help with their second first-round pick in the FanSided.com mock NFL Draft.

After my first selection in FanSided.com’s NFL my draft, where I selected offensive tackle, Mekhi Becton, for the Jacksonville Jaguars with a ninth pick, I used their next pick in the first round to help the teams secondary.

With the 20th pick in the 2020 NFL draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars select C.J. Henderson, cornerback, Florida.

Now, let’s just hope he’s there when Jacksonville is on the clock.

More from Jaguars Draft

• Jacksonville Jaguars fortify secondary in 4-round 2023 Post-Combine NFL Mock Draft
• The Jaguars may look for edge rushers with pick 24
• The Jacksonville Jaguars got so lucky with the 2021 NFL Draft
• Jaguars fortify OL with Jaelyn Duncan in CBS Sports’ 2023 NFL Mock Draft
• Jacksonville Jaguars don’t need to trade up in the 2023 NFL Draft to land a cornerback

It’s a guarantee Jaguars will start the 2020 season with two new cornerbacks after both Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye have been traded. While Tre Herndon has fit into the teams starting lineup after replacing Ramsey during the season, there is a need for depth and speed on the other side. Henderson offers that.

"“He has NFL recovery burst and the long speed to track vertical routes downfield.” writes NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein. “He has the twitchy acceleration to jump a throw and take it away if the quarterback lingers on the target, and he’s quick to wrap and finish after the catch.”"

But does Henderson fall that far in the draft order after running a 4.39 in the 40-yard dash? Here’s my theory.

There will be four tackles taken in the first 15 pics. The Jaguars are one of them. At least three quarterbacks will be taken in the top 10 selections. You have two top defensive tackles, the top-rated cornerback and a freakish linebacker/safety all in the mix.

It could happen. Somebody else will fall to the middle of the round. And there could be a run on wide receivers – the one position where NFL teams tend to get a bit jumpy. All of the sets up nicely for Henderson, who is a good player for the Gators, but wasn’t a great player.

Does a move to the NFL, where he will be given the opportunity to become an instant starter, change that perspective? And does he perform above expectations? Florida players who have been drafted by the Jaguars haven’t fared well in recent years.

Everyone hopes this kind of trend does not repeat itself this coming season.

The Jacksonville Jaguars have 12 picks coming up in nine days. While they will use all of them to make the team better, that does not mean all 12 selections will bring players to North Florida. This could be a situation where did Jaguars want Henderson and use their mid-round selections, which are many, to move up three or four spots in the first round to snag Henderson.

General manager David Caldwell and the front office have been more than aggressive in the most recent drafts in the second round to grab players that they believe will impact this franchise over the next few seasons. Henderson has that kind of ability, length, and speed.

With Becton at No. 9 in Henderson at No. 20, Jacksonville is poised to continue its rebuild with players who are expected to impact the team for the next few seasons to come.