Jacksonville Jaguars: Andre Cisco named sleeper ahead of training camp

The Jacksonville Jaguars have spent the offseason tweaking the roster. Although there were a few difference-makers on the roster last year, there weren’t enough to consistently win games. Thus, it’s not surprising to see a youth movement in Jacksonville. The team made several additions in free agency. They then acquired a handful of potential building blocks in this year’s draft, including safety Andre Cisco.

Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report believes the Orangeman could contribute right away. He recently put together a list of every NFL team’s biggest sleeper ahead of training camp, and Cisco’s name popped up. He prefaces his analysis by saying the Jags have undergone “seismic changes” on both offense and defense this offseason. Davenport notes that quarterback Trevor Lawrence was the most meaningful offensive addition in Jacksonville. He goes on to say that the Jaguars revamped their secondary after signing cornerback Shaquill Griffin and Rayshawn Jenkins.

Davenport thinks that Jenkins will most likely start next to veteran Jarrod Wilson but believes that Cisco could challenge the latter for the starting job. Davenport points out that the Syracuse product was one of the best safeties in college football from 2018 to 2019. Over that two-year span, he logged 125 total tackles, 12 interceptions, 14 passes defensed and two forced fumbles.  Later in the article, Davenport acknowledges that Cisco has dealt with injuries over the last two years but thinks he has the potential to thrive in 2021.

"Injuries have been an issue for the 6’0″, 209-pounder—Cisco missed three games two years ago and most of the 2020 season. But the Jags thought well enough of him to make him a third-round pick, and he has a dynamic element to his game that Wilson can’t match."

Andre Cisco has a good chance to start for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2021.

The Jaguars were aware safety was one of their biggest needs this offseason, so they took the necessary steps to address to upgrade the position. Instead of targeting someone like Trevon Moehrig or Richie Grant in the early rounds of this year’s draft, they waited to take Cisco with the 65th overall pick.

Keep in mind there are several reasons why the Syracuse product was still available in the third round. He displayed poor tackling skills in college and has to work on taking better angles. Also, he needs to develop a better feel for the ball and increase his awareness when he drops in coverage. Also, he’s got to show he can remain healthy after suffering injuries in back-to-back seasons.

Cisco’s ceiling is higher than Wilson’s and it could just be a matter of time before the former replaces the latter in the starting lineup. The Jacksonville Jaguars could indeed have a sleeper in the safety but there are a few things that need to happen before they can give them a role on defense. First and foremost, he needs to avoid injuries. Otherwise, he won’t be able to show the coaching staff they should roll with him.

Once Cisco stays healthy, nothing will stop him from competing for a starting job.