Jaguars CB Tre Herndon ready to play a big role in 2021

When you think of the Jacksonville Jaguars’ top cornerbacks on the roster right now, probably Shaquill Griffin or sophomore C.J. Henderson come to mind. Maybe rookie Tyson Campbell but one player that is getting praise ahead of the 2021 regular season is Tre Herndon. An undrafted free agent in 2018, the Vanderbilt product worked his way up the depth chart and has been a staple of Jacksonville’s secondary over the last two seasons.

Herndon played only eight percent of the Jaguars’ defensive snaps in his rookie campaign but his playing time went up considerably over the last two seasons. In that span, he’s appeared in all 32 games with 26 starts and logged 18 passes defensed and three interceptions. Jacksonville re-signed him earlier this year and he figures to play a meaningful role on Jacksonville’s defense in 2021.

After the first day of minicamp, Griffin had a sitdown with the local media and mentioned that Herndon has stood out this offseason. The former Seattle Seahawk says his teammate is different and the person he goes to when he has doubts, whether it’s the plays or the press technique he’s learning. Griffin adds that ‘Tre’ is looking for a way to get better every day, which is something that motivates him. He notes that Herndon brings something to the room, ‘I want to get better because I know he does too’.

That’s some pretty strong praise coming from someone who earned a Pro Bowl designation back in 2018 and is one of the highest-paid players in Jacksonville. John Shipley of Jaguar Report says it’s hard to find players as respected for their work ethic in the locker room as Herndon is. The corner is barely entering his fourth season in the NFL, so there’s a chance he hasn’t reached his ceiling yet.

This will be a key year for Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Tre Herdon.

After free agency, head coach Urban Meyer told the local media he was pleased with the Jags’ cornerback room. When talking about the unit, he said the team had four starters, Herndon, Griffin, Henderson and Sidney Jones. He didn’t mention Tyson Campbell as this conversation took place before the draft, but his name should be up there too.

Henderson will probably start opposite Griffin, so the former Commodore will line up in the slot. However, he could switch to the outside if necessary. Last season, he played 306 snaps at nickel and 531 in the boundaries. That kind of flexibility could help him remain at the top of the depth chart in case either Henderson or Griffin missed time with injuries.

Keep in mind that Campbell and Jones, who was having a career revival in 2020, will also vie for playing time, so Herdon will have to fend off both of them. Herndon is set to become a free agent in 2022, so he will benefit from having a great year. If he plays well early on, the Jaguars could opt to give him a multi-year deal. On the other hand, if he hits the open market, he may get a top-market deal. Either way, he will have the chance to cash in.