The Jacksonville Jaguars emerged as a contender last season, finishing the regular season with a 13-4 record. Now the team is motivated to have an even better year in 2026, and Jacksonville made moves this offseason that they believe will help with that. However, those moves weren’t all that popular.
The Jaguars got a lot of heat for some of their selections in the 2026 Draft, and while the franchise could ultimately be proven right, critics are worried about the team’s group of rookies. There shouldn’t be any concern, though, because Jacksonville has a promising young core regardless.
One of the intriguing members of that young core is a 2025 Draft pick who didn’t get on the field as a rookie. That player is defensive back Caleb Ransaw, who missed his rookie season with an injury. Now healthy, the former Tulane Wave Green Wave has the chance to emerge as an important contributor in 2026.
Second-year defensive back Caleb Ransaw could emerge as a starter for Jaguars
Ransaw was selected in the third round of the 2025 Draft, taken with the 88th overall pick. That shows how highly Jacksonville thinks of him. Unfortunately, he didn’t get to get on the field as a rookie because of a foot injury. The Harvest, Alabama native is now healthy and is being highlighted as a player to watch.
In a recent ESPN piece that ranked all 32 projected starting lineups, the Jaguars popped up at No. 16, and Ransaw was named as a nonstarter to know. NFL analyst Aaron Schatz explained how the defensive back played outside and slot cornerback in college, but has since moved to safety in Jacksonville. That sets Ransaw up to compete with Eric Murray for a starting safety job or to play nickel.
Now, Ransaw probably won't line up at nickel, since the Jags already have Jarrian Jones and Jourdan Lewis. That said, he could push Murray for the starting job or earn a prominent role as the No. 3 safety.
The Jaguars’ secondary will definitely have somewhat of a different look in 2026. Jourdan Lewis and Travis Hunter, both returning from injuries, will likely be starting at corner, and Montaric Brown will also be in the mix. At safety, guys like Murray, Ransaw, and Antonio Johnson will all be competing. Again, there’s also a chance that Ransaw, with his versatility, will get onto the field, maybe even as a big nickel in certain packages.
However things shake out, the Jaguars need the secondary to be better, and it’d be great if Caleb Ransaw played a part in that happening.
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