5 Jaguars who need more playing time for the remainder of 2021

Jaguars player who should play more in 2021 No. 3 – Andre Cisco

After the 2020 season, it was challenging to look at the Jaguars’ roster and find a position group that DIDN’T need upgrades. However, there were some units that needed more help than others, such as safety. The team’s brass knew and made several additions to the group in the offseason.

The Jags signed Rayshawn Jenkins and Rudy Ford in free agency. They also brought back Josh Jones and also drafted Andre Cisco in the third round of this year’s selection meeting. Even though the safety room was not a strength, it looked in way better shape than it did in 2020, and it was fair to wonder who was going to make the cut. After all, Jacksonville also had Andrew Wingard, veteran Jarrod Wilson, and Daniel Thomas.

In the end, Wilson and Jones didn’t make the cut. The next question was who was going to start next to Jenkins in Week 1. Cisco was a strong candidate, as he had the highest Pro Football Focus overall grade among rookie safeties in the preseason. Ultimately, the team went with Wingard.

Cisco got some playing time on defense in the first two weeks of the season but was then relegated to special teams. In the last six games, he’s had just eight defensive snaps. Wingard has not been particularly bad but now would be a good time for the Jags to give Cisco a look.

The Syracuse product had injury red flags ahead of the draft but has remained healthy in the pros. He was a big-play machine for the Orangemen, logging 13 passes defensed and 14 interceptions in 24 collegiate games. The Jaguars’ defense could use some of that playmaking prowess.