Travis Hunter played a big role in the 35-6 Week 3 win over the New England Patriots. However, he wasn't the only cornerback who made plays for the Jacksonville Jaguars in that game.
Like Hunter, Jarrian Jones was a force against New England, picking off quarterback Drake Maye and generally carrying out whatever assignment he got. You could even make the case that he was the Jags' best corner in Week 4. This is probably why they're not hesitating to give the former Florida State Seminole a featured role on defense.
I love watching Jarrian Jones in press coverage... Tough, feisty, speedy. Often no help on outside. Then has no problem sliding inside and covering the slot.
— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) September 29, 2026
Where and how to play Travis Hunter in this deep secondary is an interestinggggggg conversation... pic.twitter.com/4e3Ms1wSXM
Jarrian Jones is thriving and the Jaguars will keep giving him opportunities
Liam Coen met with the local media ahead of the Week 4 game against the Bengals. He heaped praise on Jarrian Jones, noting that he needs to keep taking advantage of the chances he gets.
"The diversity, the multiplicity throughout. To be able to go, hop inside, outside. He plays with a lot of confidence. I love his play energy," Liam Coen told reporters (0:52 mark). "He's tackled at a pretty high level as well when he's been given some of the opportunities to do so. Need him to continue on that ascension, and been very confident with Jarrian, though, recently."
Three games into the season, Jones has logged 122 defensive snaps, the most among Jacksonville cornerbacks. Aside from his pick in Week 3, he's done a good job of bringing the heat, registering three total pressures.
A third-round pick in 2024, Jones got off to a somewhat underwhelming start last season but managed to finish strong, logging three interceptions and eight passes defensed.
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The Jaguars may have found an ascending star in Jarrian Jones
After his Week 3 breakout, Travis Hunter will continue to see an uptick in playing time, but it shouldn't come at the expense of Jarrian Jones.
Aside from Hunter and Jones, Montaric Brown and Jourdan Lewis are also in the mix. Lewis has mostly lined up at nickel this season, while Brown mainly plays in the boundaries. Even though the Jags just gave Brown a three-year deal worth $31.8 million early in 2026, they can't keep him on the field and leave Jones on the bench. This gives Jacksonville a good problem, and it will be up to the coaching staff to decide how to best rotate their cornerback without disrupting their rhythm.
It's worth noting that Jones mostly excelled in the slot in past years, but he's quickly showing that he can thrive in the boundaries.
.@Patriots @Jaguars @JarrianJones is locked in! Can't play better technique. Footwork, Eyes, and Ball Skills. #duval #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/B5Dlaa0JV1
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) September 30, 2026
If Jones keeps playing the way he has, he's going to give the Jaguars a tough decision. His contract runs through 2027, and he'll entering his stock will be at an all-time high when he enters a contract year. Already, the Jags have several players waiting in line to get paid, and Jones could give him yet another one.
While Jarrian Jones has always been a talented player who fits the Jaguars' gritty brand of football, you would probably be hard-pressed to find someone who thought he would be the team's best cornerback three games into the season, but that's where he's positioned himself.
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