To strengthen its cornerback room this offseason, the Jaguars selected Jarrian Jones and Deantre Prince and signed veteran Ronald Darby.
Was that sufficient? NFL observers have identified Jacksonville’s top need at cornerback even after the draft, but more typically from a long-term than a short-term standpoint.
In March, Darby, 30, agreed to a two-year contract with the team. Tyson Campbell, the team’s projected starter opposite Darby in 2024, is about to begin the last year of his rookie deal.
Subscribe to Jacksonville.com for the greatest local coverage of sports, entertainment, culture, and news. Prince, an outside fit, and Jones, a nickel projection, have the potential to emerge as playmakers in the Jaguars’ secondary, but it is tough to predict when they will.
Accordingly, Jacksonville trading for New Orleans CB Marshon Lattimore was the most popular suggestion among ESPN’s post-draft moves that “should happen.”
The article’s author, Bill Barnwell, used Lattimore’s newly revised contract—which now has an option bonus structure instead of traditional bonuses—as well as the Saints’ 2024 NFL draft selection of cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry in the second round to support the trade idea.
Jacksonville, where former Saints assistant Ryan Nielsen is the defensive coordinator, appears to be the leading choice for Lattimore. After veteran Darious Williams was cut by the Jaguars last season due to subpar play at cornerback.
They played man coverage at the third-highest rate of any club last season, so they need their corners to perform well. Which of the two teams was using man-to-man defense more frequently? In 2023, Nielsen oversaw the defense for the Falcons.
Though I doubt they’ve gone all the way, the Jaguars have made an effort this offseason to address their cornerback issues.
In an effort to improve at cornerback, they have made large purchases while utilizing third- and fifth-round picks on Jarrian Jones and Deantre Prince, as well as signing veteran Ronald Darby.
Lattimore’s addition would be a far bigger improvement. During the last two seasons, he has given up just one touchdown while allowing a passer rating below 75.0 in each case. Barnwell continued by saying he would be shocked if a deal including Lattimore—who is 28 years old and seeking a third NFL contract—got the Saints anything more valuable than a fourth-round pick.
Jacksonville traded down with Minnesota on the first day of the 2024 NFL draft to get a second 2025 fourth-round pick to go with their existing selection in the round. In exchange for wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr., the Jaguars traded their No. 17 overall pick to the Vikings for their No. 23 pick.
They also acquired a 2024 fifth-round pick, which they used to select return specialist Keilan Robinson, as well as a 2025 third-round selection and a 2025 fourth-round pick.
