Jacksonville Jaguars free agency 2021 winners and losers

Jaguars free agency winner: Cornerbacks coach Tim Walton

Tim Walton must’ve been delighted when the Jaguars hired him as their cornerback coach in 2019, as he had the chance to work with All-Pro Jalen Ramsey… until the team decided to trade him in the middle of the season to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for two first-round selections.

Since then, Walton made chicken salad with what he’s got and has made the most out of it. D.J. Hayden had his best season as a pro in 2019, when he allowed no touchdowns and a 76.1 passer rating. In 2020, former Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Sidney Jones had a career revival in Jacksonville and quickly become a key contributor in their secondary before an Achilles injury cut his season short.

Although the Jaguars secondary showed flashes early in the 2020 season, injuries struck the unit, and players such as rookies Luq Barcoo and Josiah Scott were forced into the field, as the team ran out of healthy cornerbacks. It didn’t matter though, Walton had them ready. The results weren’t necessarily good but his work didn’t go unnoticed and head coach Urban Meyer decided to retain him as part of his coaching staff.

The Jaguars brought back Jones and restricted free agent Tre Herndon. Moreover, they signed former Seattle Seahawks cornerback Shaquil Griffin to a three-year $44.5 million deal. Add sophomore C.J. Henderson and Walton will have his hands full in 2021. Don’t be surprised if we see his best work yet this upcoming season.