Jacksonville Jaguars need to get more production from 2021 draft class

The Jacksonville Jaguars need these three rookies to step up.

Andre Cisco, safety (65th overall pick, third round)

The Jags are bringing Andre Cisco slowly. Even though the former Orangeman earned the highest Pro Football Focus grade among rookie safeties in the preseason, he started the season behind Andrew Wingard.

Ahead of the first game, defensive coordinator Joe Cullen said both Cisco and Wingard would alternate snaps but the latter got the starting nod and more playing time. Things didn’t change much in Week 2 and Wingard once again started and had more snaps. So far, Cisco has played 41 defensive snaps. That amount might increase down the road and he could even seize the starting job.

Jordan Smith, outside linebacker/defensive end (121st, fourth round)

Of all the Jaguars’ rookies that have been inactive in the first two games, Jordan Smith might get a pass. He’s been dealing with a knee over the last two weeks. Injuries are an inherited part of the game, the team’s brass didn’t expect the UAB product to be hurt. On the other hand, availability is the best ability and he hasn’t played a single snap this year. It will be interesting to see if he will be healthy enough in Week 3 to make his NFL debut.

Luke Ferrell, tight end (145th overall pick/fifth round)

Tight end was one of the Jaguars’ biggest needs this offseason. But instead of addressing the position early in the draft, they waited until the fifth round to take Luke Farrell out of Ohio State. So far, the former Buckeye has hauled in one reception for six yards. James O’Shaughnessy will be out for a few weeks after suffering an ankle injury in Week 2. This could prompt the coaching staff to give Ferrell a bigger workload in the following games.