Ranking all Jaguars defensive groups ahead of Week 1 of the 2022 season

Defenses may or may not win championships but there’s no doubt that having a good one increases their chances of doing so. The Jacksonville Jaguars know it and made several significant additions to that side of the ball in the offseason.

While fielding a top 10 defense in 2022 might prove to be a tall order for the Jags, they should be dramatically better than last year, when they finished 28th in the league in points allowed, so how do their defensive units stack up after undergoing a makeover? Here’s a ranking ahead of the season opener.

No. 4 Jaguars offensive group entering Week 1: Safeties

The Jaguars’ safety room was one of the few defensive units that didn’t get any meaningful additions in free agency or the draft. In fact, last year’s group returns and the biggest/most meaningful change is that sophomore Andre Cisco is slated to start next to Rayshawn Jenkins in Week 1.

Cisco should bring a big-play element into the Jags’ secondary in 2022. Back at Syracuse, he logged 13 interceptions and 14 passes defensed in 24 games.

Last year’s starter, Andrew Wingard, is now the top backup. He will probably see plenty of time on special teams but he can quickly step into the defensive lineup if needed. While the player known as Dewey is athletically limited, he’s recorded three interceptions over the last two seasons. For context, cornerback Tyson Campbell led the team with two last year.

Also returning to the Jags in 2022 is Daniel Thomas, who can also come out of the bench at any time. A fifth-round selection in 2020, the former Auburn Tiger has made four starts the last two years.

All things considered, the Jags’ have a good-not-great safety group entering Week 1 but Cisco has the potential to be a difference-maker if his ballhawk skills carry over into the NFL.