The Jacksonville Jaguars have to get better in the secondary this season. So will they explore adding one of these top free agent cornerbacks to help accomplish that?
Overall, the Jaguars’ defense ranked 27th in scoring last season, and a part of that equation was opposing offenses often throwing all over the Jacksonville secondary.
When the regular season was all said and done, the Jaguars’ secondary ranked 24th in completion rate and were 30th or worse in interceptions, passer rating, and yards per pass attempt allowed–surrendering way too many big plays.
At the cornerback position specifically, the Jaguars have Tyson Campbell on the boundary and nickel cornerback Jarrian Jones showed promise as a rookie. However, that boundary position opposite of Campbell needs to be upgraded.
NFL insider Jeremy Fowler reported recently that the Jaguars likely won’t be “huge spenders” this offseason, but he did add that solidifying the secondary will be on the to-do list.
Salary cap-wise, the Jaguars have just over $32 million in available cap space, which ranks 17th in the NFL in terms of spending power. Although, like every other team, the Jaguars do have the ability to create quite a bit more cap room if needed.
With help from Pro Football Focus’ free agent rankings, here are the top available options at cornerback:
DJ Reed, New York Jets
Reed has spent the last few seasons in New York. In this most recent year, he was again effective, holding quarterbacks to just a 58% completion rate and pass catchers to 12.3 yards per catch.
Reed is a willing run defender and has had good on-ball production with 23 pass breakups and two interceptions the last two seasons.
Carlton Davis, Lions
Davis was a name that Fowler mentioned for Jaguars’ fans to watch closely this offseason. In his first season with Detroit in 2024, Davis surrendered a completion rate of only 59% at 13.6 yards per catch with two interceptions and six pass breakups.
Opposing quarterbacks also had a below average passer rating of 87.9 when targeting him. Davis’ career completion rate surrendered is 58% and Davis also has four seasons of 11-plus pass breakups.
Charvarius Ward, 49ers
Ward would miss some time during the 2024 season and saw his completion rate increase to 61%, his yards per catch figure jump to 13.3, and his ball production went down.
However, Ward’s career numbers speak for itself and have been impressive. This includes a completion rate of 55% and a passer rating of 82.9 when targeted. He’s also not far removed from an excellent 2023 season that included five interceptions and 17 pass breakups.
Whatever team I’m on next year gone get the best version of ME. I’m HUNGRY.
— Charvarius Ward (@itslilmooney) February 4, 2025
