4 Jaguars rookies who will make the biggest impact in 2021

Andre Cisco is the playmaker at safety the Jacksonville Jaguars need.

The Jaguars did a good job of fortifying their roster this offseason. While they mostly focused on adding depth to a roster that didn’t have much in 2020, they made a few splash signings in free agency, including former Los Angeles safety Rayshawn Jenkins.

Even with the addition of Jenkins, safety was still a need for Jacksonville heading into the draft. Trevon Moehrig was a popular selection at 25, and Richie Grant would’ve been a solid pickup in the second round. Nevertheless, the team instead took running back Travis Etienne and opted to address the position until the third round, when they drafted Andre Cisco with pick 65.

Cisco was a ballhawk at Syracuse, appearing in 24 games and logging 13 interceptions, 14 passes defensed and two forced fumbles. Although he needs to work on being more disciplined on the field, he has the athleticism and instincts to thrive at the NFL level. He should get ahead of sophomore Daniel Thomas and Andrew Wingard on the depth chart in training camp.

Jenkins and Jarrod Wilson will probably be the Jaguars’ starting safeties in Week 1, but Cisco should eventually take Wilson’s job and should still see the field at times while he adjusts to the pro game. Looking back, it might’ve been worth waiting until the third round to address the safety position, as Cisco has the potential to become a starter for the Jaguars as a rookie.