Cornerback among Jacksonville Jaguars top needs in 2023 offseason

The Jacksonville Jaguars have turned into offseason mode following their 27-20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the Divisional Round of the Playoffs. They’ve done a good job of replenishing the roster the last two years but they’ll need to keep adding talent if they want to get over the hump. One of their biggest needs is cornerback and there are different ways their front office can address it.

The Jags have a couple of studs in Tyson Campbell and Darious Williams but they need another cornerback to line up in the slot and round out their group. Tre Herndon was the team’s third corner and appeared on 300 snaps on the slot. However, he wasn’t particularly effective and is set to become a free agent, so general manager Trent Baalke will probably look for upgrades in either free agency and/or the draft.

There will be several solid options in free agency but Jacksonville won’t have much cap space, which will limit their ability to pursue the top cornerbacks in the open market. As a matter o fact, Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report believes Rock-Ya-Sin could be a fit based on his expected market value of $10.8. Similarly, the thinks Baalke will target budget-friendly players.

"Cornerback Rock Ya-Sin—who has a relatively reasonable projected market value of $10.8 million annually—is a far more realistic target than, say, James Bradberry. The latter has a projected market value of $17.1 million annually.It’s even more likely, though, that Jacksonville will target true budget options like Eli Apple, Troy Hill, and safety Johnathan Abram if looking to address its 28th-ranked pass defense."

Out of the cornerbacks Knox lists, Troy Hill might be the most intriguing one from the bunch. After going undrafted in 2015, he signed with the Cincinnati Bengals and spent time with the New England Patriots before joining the Los Angeles Rams. Hill signed with the Cleveland Browns in 2021 and was traded back to the Rams last offseason.

The former Oregon Duck can line up outside but also has experience playing nickel. In fact, he posted a career-best three interceptions, 10 passes defensed and a forced fumble in 2020, when he appeared on 620 nickel snaps. All things considered, he would be a solid addition to the Jags’ cornerback room.

The Jacksonville Jaguars can also add a cornerback in the 2023 NFL Draft

The Jacksonville Jaguars will tentatively hold the 24th selection of the 2023 NFL Draft and cornerback, along with tight end, has been a trendy pick in mocks. Ryan Wilson of CBS Sports projects that Jacksonville will take South Carolina’s Cam Smith. Similarly, John Shipley of Sports Illustrated thinks Illionois’ Devon Witherspoon would be a great addition, whom he describes as a “tough-nosed cover man who has proven he can hang with receivers of all sizes“.

Tight end Evan Engram will be one of Jacksonville’s top-priority free agents and if they can manage to re-sign him, cornerback then become their top need in the draft. They could also fortify their front seven, maybe a defensive tackle or another pass rusher, especially if either Arden Key or Dawuane Smoot leaves in the offseason.

The Jaguars took several steps in the right direction in 2022 and if they want to avoid regressing next season, they’ll keep replenishing their roster and that includes their cornerback unit.