Andre Cisco earns highest PFF grade among Jaguars players vs. Chiefs

Even though the Jacksonville Jaguars are 3-7 and basically out of playoff contention following their 27-17 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 10, they have a young nucleus of players in place that should have a big impact in 2022. Trevor Lawrence is probably the one that stands out the most but safety Andre Cisco has steadily become a mainstay of the Jags’ secondary.

Pro Football Focus posted their Week 10 grades and Cisco’s 93.0 was the highest one among Jaguars players. Lawrence was second with an 82.1 mark. Wide receiver Christian Kirk, who hauled in nine receptions for 105 yards with two touchdowns, finished third with an 80.4 overall grade.  Cornerback Tyson Campbell finished fourth at 73.3 and outside linebacker Travon Walker’s 68.9 grade ranked fifth.

Cisco played 98 percent of the Jags’ total defensive snaps in Week 10 and logged three tackles, two passes defensed, and one interception. Moreover, he laid a couple of massive hits on receivers Kadarius Toney and Marquez Valdes-Scantling. The former Syracuse Orangeman has become a force in the Jaguars’ secondary, making nine starts and registering 69 total tackles, seven pass deflections and three interceptions, one of them returned for a touchdown in Week 4. Here’s the hit he delivered on Marques-Scantling.

Jaguars safety Andre Cisco is making the leap in Year 2

Even though Cisco might not make the Pro Bowl this season, the Jaguars should be encouraged by his development. A third-round pick in the 2021 draft, the New York native slid to the third round due to injury red flags but he showed in last year’s training camp that he was fully healthy.

Nevertheless, Cisco started the 2022 season on the bench and only got significant playing time near the end of the year. But despite a limited sample, he showed the playmaking skills that made him a playmaker in college, forcing two fumbles in three games. The sophomore safety says that he’s just trying to get better each week, via Mia O’Brien of 1010 XL.

“Just looking to improve every week, Cisco said following the loss to the Chiefs. “So just practice picking up the intensity as much as we could preparing the right way, so as a secondary, we did that and it was able to show between me, Rayshawn [Jenkins], and the other guys, they all contributed well.”

Regarding his physical style of play, Cisco says he plays until the whistle is blown, “you try to establish dominance as much as you can”.

Although the Jags’ defense couldn’t stop Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs’ offense, the loss shouldn’t overshadow Cisco’s superb outing. If the defense can get back on track following their Bye Week, the second-year safety will probably be a big reason why.