Jacksonville Jaguars: 5 players who must shine to avoid losing streak

Jacksonville Jaguars player who must shine No. 2 – S Andre Cisco

Heading into Week 1, Jaguars defensive coordinator Joe Cullen told the local media both Andre Wingard and rookie Andre Cisco would rotate at safety. Wingard ended up playing 71 percent of the defensive snaps and Cisco took over in the third quarter.

Looking back, letting Wingard start may not have been the best thing to do. Had he played well (he didn’t), the coaching staff wouldn’t have taken him out of the game. The Jaguars need to let Cisco start, see what he can do on the field, and let him learn. He’s got the higher ceiling of the two and may be the team’s best alternative to play next to Rayshawn Jenkins.

It’s not a given that Cisco will start but the coaching staff must strongly consider going with him. In case Wingard once again gets the nod, the rookie safety must make every single snap count, show the team that he’s the better option of the two, so he gives them no choice but to make him the starter.

Cisco had a good training camp and posted the highest Pro Football Focus overall grade of any rookie safeties in the preseason. If he starts or gets more playing time, he will probably experience growing pains but most first-year players do, so it would make sense for the Jaguars to let him learn on the job. The former Orangeman is going to start at some point of the 2021 season. Why not speed up the process?