Grading Jaguars position groups on defense ahead of 2022 offseason

Grading Jaguars’ position groups on defense – Cornerbacks.

Before taking Tyson Campbell with the 33rd overall pick in the 2021 draft, then-head coach Urban Meyer spoke highly of the team’s cornerback unit and said that he believed the team had four potential starters in the bunch: Sidney Jones, Tre Herndon, Shaquill Griffin, and sophomore C.J. Henderson. The team’s brass ended up trading Jones to the Seattle Seahawks before the season opener and later exchanged Henderson for tight end Dan Arnold and a 2022 third-round selection.

All things considered, the Jaguars got solid play from Griffin. Although he didn’t snag a single interception, he did a good job of traveling with other teams’ number one receivers. Also, his impact in the locker room was priceless. His cool-headed leadership was vital in keeping the Jags’ defense together in spite of the less-than-ideal environment they had to deal with due to the presence of Meyer.

Campbell was a revelation in his rookie campaign. He struggled early in the season but improved significantly once he returned from a toe injury he suffered in Week 4. He started the year in the slot but moved to the boundaries after the front office traded Henderson.

Herndon suffered an MCL injury in the preseason and wasn’t 100 percent throughout the year, which hurt his stock ahead of free agency. In his place, Rudy Ford held his own in the slot. Originally a safety, he made the switch to nickel last year. He should be an early favorite to start in the slot in 2022. Chris Claybrooks was forced into the starting lineup and so was veteran Nevin Lawson, who signed with the Black and Teal in the middle of the season.

While the Jags have two starting cornerbacks in Campbell and Griffin, they should err on the side of caution and bolster their depth in the offseason. After all, you can never have enough corners.

Final 2021 grade: B-