Jacksonville Jaguars must consider bringing in S Kenny Vaccaro for a visit

After wrapping up their veteran minicamp, the Jacksonville Jaguars are most likely in the process of evaluating their roster ahead of training camp. Although the Jags have already made several important moves this offseason, they still have enough cap space to make a few free-agent additions. If they are interested in fortifying their secondary, they could kick the tires on former Tennessee Titans and free-agent safety Kenny Vaccaro, as Russell S. Baxter of FanSided first suggested.

Baxter recently drew up a list of one free agent every team should sign and the 2013 first-round selection was the pick for the Jags. He notes that Jacksonville was 1-15 last year and their defense ranked 31st in both total yards and points allowed. Baxter thinks that the Jaguars’ secondary could use a physical presence and points out that Vaccaro has had a solid career and could be an asset against the run.

The Texas product was drafted 15th overall by the New Orleans Saints in 2013. He spent the first six years of his NFL career in the Big Easy and signed with the Titans in 2018. Even though Vaccaro has never earned a Pro Bowl nod nor an All-Pro designation, he’s a versatile defender. He’s not particularly great against the pass, posting a Pro Football Focus coverage grade of 64.0 or higher just once in his career.

On the other hand, the veteran safety has the 29th-best run-stop percentage since entering the league, per PFF. Moreover, signing him could be relatively cheap. Tennessee released Vaccaro earlier this year to free up $3.9 million in cap space and there’s not much demand for his services right now. Last season, he appeared in 13 games and logged 83 total tackles, six tackles for a loss, one sack, and five passes defensed. Furthermore, he played 78 percent of the Titan’s defensive snaps.

How can Kenny Vaccaro help the Jacksonville Jaguars?

The Jaguars have done a good job of fortifying their safety room this offseason. They added Raysahwn Jenkins and Rudy Ford in free agency. They also brought back Josh Jones on a one-year deal and drafted Andre Cisco in the third round of this year’s selection. The position is far from a strength but it is in better shape than it was at this point last year. Nevertheless, there still could be room for Vaccaro.

Pass coverage isn’t the safety’s strongest suit but he could be effective in run support. Also, he could add competition in training camp. Now, Vaccaro wouldn’t likely be a starter in Jacksonville, as Jarrod Wilson and Jenkins are currently at the top of the depth chart. Instead, he could carve a niche as a role player. Also, the former Saint could push sophomore Daniel Thomas and Cisco.

Vaccaro would be a solid and affordable depth addition ahead of training camp. This could be a low-key move the Jacksonville Jaguars could make at any moment. You could argue that the eighth-year veteran is a luxury the Jags don’t need but he’s one they can certainly afford.