The Jacksonville Jaguars have several intriguing options at safety and will need them to sort them out in training camp. While free-agent acquisition is virtually a lock to start in Week 1, the coaching staff needs to decide who'll take the spot next to him. A local reporter has an idea of who could get the nod.
Senior correspondent Brian Sexton of the team's official website heaped praise on rookie Caleb Ransaw, pointing out that the former Tulane Green Wave will start at some point in 2025. Here's the skinny.
"Listen, you got Murray that you paid, and you brought him in because he's a stabilizing factor. He's going to start on one side," Sexton said when discussing the state of the safety room. "Don't be surprised at all if Caleb Ransaw is not in that lineup, if not the first Sunday of the season, certainly by the second month of the season. If you watched him, and I know that you were there on the sidelines watching. This is a guy with really, really good ball skills. He's got great feet, he's got recognition, he can do it all."
Sexton continued, "He is a really good football player, and proof that you don't have to play a Power 5 school to be an NFL player. This guy's got the skill set that they want on the back end, if he's not ready. Well, that's what you've got Dewey Winger for, although Johnson, who really struggled last year — and of course, who didn't in that defense, but in this defense — I thought he had a pretty good summer as well.
Later in the exchange, Sexton reminds everyone that Darnell Savage is also in the mix but ultimately believes that Ransaw will be the long-term starter.
"The good news for them is, and you mentioned Darnell Savage, they've got names, and they've got guys who can play, so let's find out who among them is ready to take the next step. But Ransaw looks like a long-term starter. They really like him. They think he's a tremendous football player," Sexton said."
Ransaw was the 88th overall pick in this year's draft. He played cornerback, both inside and outside, at the college level but will line up at safety with the Jags. James Gladstone cited his tackling range as one of the reasons he'll switch positions.
Caleb Ransaw gives the Jaguars a good problem to have at safety
The Jaguars signed Eric Murray to a three-year, $22.5 million contract in free agency. Based on his annual salary, one starting spot is earmarked for him. Antonio Johnson, Darnell Savage, Andrew Wingard, and Caleb Ransaw will compete for the other. Tom McManus of 1010 XL thinks the nod will go to Dewey, and it's easy to understand why.
Wingard is one of the longest-tenured players on the team and has starting experience. On the other hand, Darnell Savage joined the Jags last year and fared relatively well once he replaced Antonio Johnson in the starting lineup. The trio gives the Jags proven options at safety, but Ransaw may have the biggest upside of the bunch, so the team's brass may want to make him the starter as soon as possible. That way, he can get as many reps as he can before the start of the regular season.
Then again, Wingard, Savage, and Johnson could make the a strong push in training camp and give the Jags a difficult choice.
Either way, it looks like safety isn't the weakness it's portrayed to be for the Jaguars. Even if Caleb Ransaw isn't a Day 1 starter, the group should be able to hold its own.
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