Cornerback salaries went up considerably the past few weeks, but the Jacksonville Jaguars still managed to find a solid deal in Jourdan Lewis, signing the veteran to a three-year deal worth $30 million. And while the move didn't get much attention, it did get plenty of praise from Bucky Brooks of NFL Media.
Brooks recently drew up a list of perfect free-agent marriages and included Lewis and the Jags, noting that the former Michigan Wolverine immediately addresses a pressing need on a "defense littered with holes."
"Lewis adds instincts, awareness and playmaking skills to a defensive backfield that was routinely torched in 2024. Some question the magnitude of the deal signed by the veteran, but adding a high-end player as their 12th defensive starter is well worth the cost for the Jaguars. "
As Brook points out, Lewis is one of the top slot cornerbacks, but the Jags see him as more than that. In fact, James Gladstone gushed about his flexibility to line up both inside and outside in the aftermath of the first wave of free agency.
Lewis, a third-round pick in the 2017 draft, spent his first eight NFL seasons with the Dallas Cowboys. Slated to become a free agent in 2024, he re-signed to the Boys on a one-year, $2.8 million last offseason and went on to have a banner season.
The Jaguars could make further additions to the cornerback room in the draft, but as things stand, Lewis will play opposite Tyson Campbell, but might also rotate with sophomore Jarrian Jones inside.
Related story: Updated cap space and draft picks for the Jaguars after free agency
Why the Jaguars are getting bang for their buck with Jourdan Lewis
Although the decision to sign Jourdan Lewis raised eyebrows due to the presence of Jarrian Jones, the Jacksonville Jaguars seem to have a plan. Add the fact that they didn't have to overpay for him and the signing looks much better, especially in light of the contracts other cornerbacks have gotten this offseason.
Around the same time Jacksonville signed Lewis, Jaycee Horn became the highest-paid cornerback in the league when the Carolina Panthers gave him a massive deal that pays him an annual average of $25 million. Surprisingly, he was surpassed just a week later when the Houston Texans gave Derek Stingley Jr. a three-year, $90 million deal.
Of course, Lewis isn't in the same tier as Stingley, but the Jags definitely got plenty of bang for the buck. There's no doubt that Stingley deserved to get paid. In fact, you will be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn't think he did. Having said that, the Jaguars got plenty of value for Lewis, whose play is expected to improve a secondary that struggled to defend the pass last year.
The bottom line is that the Jaguars' decision to sign Jourdan Lewis didn't get many headlines, but Bucky Brooks is among the analysts who recognize just how much value he brings to the table.