Jaguars needs to avoid this cornerback prospect at all costs after 2024 NFL Combine

The Jakcsonville Jaguars will be needing cornerback help after releasing Darious Williams. Fortunately for them, this year's draft class will be deep, so they'll have no shortage of options at No. 17 and later rounds. That said, there are a handful of prospects the Jags should steer away from, and Kalen King is one of them.

King had an outstanding 2022 season, registering a jaw-dropping 21 passes defensed. Unfortunately, he wasn't able to build on his success and wasn't nearly as productive last year under far more scrutiny. More specifically, questions about his speed and ability to put himself in a position to make plays surfaced.

The NFL Scouting Combine was going to give King the chance to put any doubts to rest but he couldn't capitalize on the opportunity and instead came crashing down. His 40-yard dash in 4.61 seconds was nothing to write home about. His 10-yard split wasn't much better. Add his lack of strength, and he could be sliding in draft boards.

Even after a subpar showing at the combine, King has a chance to go in the third round. However, he could've made his way up to the second. Still, Cory Giddins of the Bleacher Report scouting department believes the former Penn State Nittany Lion has the tools to develop into a solid starter down the road.

"After the explosive numbers he put up during the 2022 season, King was perceived as one of the top cornerbacks in this year's draft. Although he's still among the better part of the cornerback group, his stock has leveled out a bit to the Day 2 range. He has the potential to be an NFL starter a few years into his career."

Kalen King is a project but not an immediate starter for the Jaguars

If King remains on the board in either the third or fourth round, the Jaguars should then take a chance on him. That said, they'll have better options to replace Darious Williams in the draft if they choose not to dip their toes in free agency.

Even if two or three of the top cornerback prospects are gone by No. 17, the Jaguars should still have two or three to choose from. Currently, it looks like the top four picks in the draft will be quarterbacks, and there will probably be a run for offensive linemen in the top 15.

The Jags have been linked to Cooper DeJean. He didn't do drills at the scouting combine, and there's been chatter about him moving to safety. However, the former Iowa Hawkeye should be at the top of the team's draft board. If he's not their cup of tea, they could target Nate Wiggins, Terrion Arnold, or Kool-Aid McKinstry. One or two of them will be gone when the Jags are on the clock, but even then, they'll have options.

Having said that, the Jaguars are better off drafting more than one cornerback. With Williams no longer in the mix, Tyson Campbell and Montaric Brown are the only other cornerbacks under contract, and the former is set to hit the open market in 2025.

Gregory Junior, an unrestricted free agent, should return next season but it's uncertain if Jacksonville will re-sign veteran Tre Herndon. That's why King could be an option but only in later rounds.

The bottom line is that the Jacksonville Jaguars will be making changes to the cornerback room this offseason. But unless they run out of better options, Kalen King should near the bottom of their wish-list.

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