The Jacksonville Jaguars had a hard time dressing enough cornerbacks in the second half of the 2020 season after their top 3 players at the position went down with injuries. This offseason, the team’s brass made it a point of emphasis to bolster their cornerback group. Even though there will still be plenty of familiar faces, the Jags made a few key acquisitions in free agency and the draft.
This Jacksonville team re-signed Sidney Jones and Tre Herndon. They used the 33rd overall pick in this year’s selection meeting on cornerback Tyson Campbell and gave Shaquill Griffin a three-year $44.5 million contract in free agency. Heading into the 2021 season, it looks like sophomore C.J. Henderson will start opposite Henderson but what about the cornerbacks on the Jaguars’ roster? What kind of role will they play in 2021?
Keep in mind that the team just traded Josiah Scott to the Philadelphia Eagles. In exchange, they received a 2023 sixth-round selection and cornerback Jameson Houston. A 2020 fourth-round selection, Scott barely saw the field last year and even follow rookie and undrafted free agent Luc Barcoo had more snaps.
Moving to Philly may actually benefit the Michigan State product, as he was going to have a hard time making the roster. After all, the new regime didn’t draft him, so they felt no attachment to him.
What about Jameson Houston? The Baylor product sign with the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent last season. He was later waived and spent with the Carolina Panthers before joining the Eagles last November. There, he appeared on 22 defensive snaps and 22 on special teams.
Without further ado, here’s a ranking of the other Jacksonville’s cornerbacks following the 2021 NFL Draft.
Some of these CBs may not be with the Jacksonville Jaguars for much longer.
10. Corey Straughter – The Louisiana-Monroe is one of two players — DJ Daniel is the other one — Jacksonville signed after this year’s draft concluded. Corey Straughter’s odds of making the roster are low. Nevertheless, several undrafted free agents have made it in recent years, so he has a legitimate shot albeit a slim one.
9. DJ Daniel – The Jags signed cornerback DJ Daniel as an undrafted free agent in 2021. He has a steep hill to climb to make the roster but would be a nice developmental project. At this point, the practice squad looks like the safest bet for Daniel.
8. Luc Barcoo – Regardless of how good at drafting players was, former Jaguars general manager David Caldwell had a penchant for finding undrafted free agents, one of them was Luc Barcoo. He saw the field out of necessity last season as the team had no one else to turn to. The fact he appeared in three games with one start is worth pointing out. On the other hand, he may have a hard time making the team this time around after all the additions Jacksonville made to their cornerback room this offseason.
7. Brandon Rusnak – An undrafted free agent in 2019, Brandon Rusnak (formerly Brandon Watson) signed with the Jaguars and has become a key contributor on special teams. He hasn’t recorded a pass deflection or an interception over his two-year career. He will have to show his worth on special teams if he wants to stick around.
These corners will have a big role for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2021.
6. Chris Claybrooks – A seventh-round selection in 2020’s draft, Chir Claybrooks’ value comes in the return game. Last season, he returned three punts and 13 kicks. Free-agent addition Jamal Agnew will most likely handle return duties in 2021 but Claybrooks could still have a role on special teams. After all, the Jags’ other returner last year, Keelan Cole, is no longer with the team.
5. Tyson Campbell – The Georgia product joins a crowded room. While he will need to compete for snaps in training camp, he has the potential to move a few spots up in this ranking by the end of the season. When the Jaguars drafted Tyson Campbell, they showed they are planning for the future.
If injuries hit their cornerback room, his role will increase considerably. If they manage to stay healthy, he will be afforded the chance to make a progressive transition to the pros and won’t get much playing time early in the season. Either way, the 2020 second-round pick is too talented to stay on the bench for too long.
4. Sidney Jones – After three lackluster years, the Philadelphia Eagles moved on from Sidney Jones before the start of the 2020 season. The Jaguars signed him not long after and the 2017 second-round selection became a key contributor right out of the gate. Alas, an Achilles injury ended his season.
Jones appeared in nine games with six starts and logged 26 total tackles, nine passes defended one forced fumble and two interceptions. The Jags’ new regime liked what they saw and brought him back this offseason. If he stays healthy, he will be able to pick up where he left off and get a multi-year deal in Duval or somewhere else.
Here are the Jacksonville Jaguars’ top 3 corners in 2021.
3. Tre Herndon – Sidney Jones may be more talented than Tre Herndon but the latter has been to stay healthy, something the former can’t do. After not getting his name called in 2017’s draft, the Vanderbilt product signed with Jaguars and has slowly worked his way up the roster.
Herdon played at least 86 percent of the team’s total snaps on defense and will have significant playing time in 2021. He may not be a Pro Bowler but he’s someone the team can rely on.
2. C.J. Henderson – Even though he had a couple of rough outings, C.J. Henderson showed plenty of potential in his rookie campaign. The Florida product finished the season with 36 total tackles, six passes defended one interception, and one forced fumble. While those aren’t eye-popping numbers, they were solid considering rookies had no preseason last year.
Head coach Urban Meyer has praised Henderson several times and it looks like he will most likely get his starting job back in training camp. Jacksonville drafted him ninth overall last year because they thought he could turn into a top-notch cornerback. He will get a chance to prove them right in 2021.
1. Shaquill Griffin –Arguably the Jaguars’ biggest acquisition in free agency, Griffin will be the starting cornerback opposite Henderson. Although he’s not an All-Pro caliber player, his presence will help stabilize Jacksonville’s secondary.
While giving Griffin a big contract may seem excessive, the Jaguars needed to added talent and depth to their cornerback group. What would you prefer, one elite player or three that aren’t nearly as good but still efficient? The Jaguars focused on adding depth to their secondary this offseason, and the former Seattle Seahawk is the kind of player the team needs in their rebuild.
Jacksonville doesn’t have a true shutdown cornerback, but they have four (even five) solid ones that can get the job done. Not many teams can brag about that kind of depth. The Jaguars’ cornerback group must stay healthy, but they have the potential to be an above-average unit this upcoming season.