The offense has been analyzed for the annual summer state of the roster series, so let’s dive into probably the most interesting position group for the Jacksonville Jaguars: cornerbacks.
The Jags made a big signing this free agent cycle by picking up former Dallas Cowboys standout Jourdan Lewis. Jacksonville also drafted WR/CB Travis Hunter to go along with longtime Jag Tyson Campbell and a handful of budding players like Jarrian Jones.
While Hunter may play mostly offense, this room should stand up against many as a fairly strong unit. Assuming Campbell’s health, this could be the best cornerback room the team has had in quite some time, especially considering the ails of last year’s unit.
Tyson Campbell
Contract: Second year of a 4-year, $76,500,000 contract signed in 2024.
Age: 25 (26 in March)
Games Played: 55 across four seasons in Jacksonville.
Stats: Six career interceptions, 36 career PBUs. One interception since the start of the 2023 season.
Notes:
Campbell may be one of the trickiest players the Jags have overall. On one hand, he can be a shutdown corner like he showed in 2022 with career highs in picks (three) and passes defended (15). On the other hand, he has played just 23 games since that 17-game season quite some time ago. This June, PFF ranked all top NFL corners and listed Campbell at 27 right between Joey Porter Jr. and Lewis himself. That ranking could skyrocket with a clean season from Campbell. The high-dollar player has done well in a new defense, Liam Coen has said, so maybe a new coaching staff and a new look defense will be just what the doctor ordered for the Jags' marquee corner.
Jourdan Lewis
Contract: First year of a 3-year, $30,000,000 deal.
Age: 29 (30 in August).
Games Played: 115 across eight seasons with Dallas Cowboys.
Stats: 10 career picks, 44 career PBUs, 9.5 career sacks.
Notes:
In the nickel spot will be Lewis, heading into his ninth year in the league. Lewis is coming off by far his best year in the league with a career-best 71 tackles last season in Dallas. Lewis cashed in on that with his contract in Jacksonville, which made him the highest-paid nickel in the league. After a year where the Jags allowed the most passing yards per game in the league, Coen and company are hoping Lewis can replicate last year moving forward in Duval. Lewis had a strong 2023 campaign with three forced fumbles and five passes defended, so it seems that the Jags could have picked him up while he is peaking at the right time. If anything, we know Lewis is going to talk his shit.
Jarrian Jones
Contract: Second year of a 4-year, $5,596,312 rookie contract.
Age: 24 (25 in May).
Games Played: 17 in rookie season.
Stats: 40 tackles, two sacks, one interception.
Notes:
Opposite of Campbell will likely be the second-year player Jones, who had an up-and-down rookie campaign. Jones (infamously) made the cover of Madden this year but did have some highlights of his own this season including two sacks and a pick. Jones played mostly in the slot last season but now will be asked to man an entire side of the field. He finished second on the team in pass breakups with eight and will surely need to replicate those numbers for at least another 17 games this season.
Travis Hunter
Contract: First year of a 4-year, $46,629,126 rookie deal signed as WR/CB.
Age: 22 (23 in May).
Games Played: 20 across three seasons at Jackson State (one) and Colorado (two).
Stats: It’s Travis Hunter.
Notes:
Bit of a weird one here as Hunter is going to start his career mostly on offense. Everyone knows what Hunter can do on both sides of the ball. That doesn’t need to be repeated. But what his contribution will be on defense has yet to be determined. He will almost certainly play mostly on the outside like he did in college, which helped him win the Heisman Trophy. For some reason, Travis Kelce thinks Hunter will be a target on defense to try and wear him down for offense (????) but I’d wager most people won’t see things like that. Hunter is a unicorn player and the Jags seemingly have a plan for him on both sides. We will have to wait to see what that truly is when the season starts.
Montaric “Buster” Brown
Contract: Last year of a 4-year, $3,775,980 rookie deal.
Age: 25 (26 in August).
Games Played: 37 across three seasons in Jacksonville.
Stats: 115 career tackles, one interception, 12 career PBUs.
Notes:
All things considered, the Jags have hit on Buster Brown. A 2022 seventh-round selection, Brown has had some huge moments for the Jags and has largely played well when called upon. He played all 17 games last season, had his first career pick and was tied for the team lead in PBUs (eight). He will start the year as a backup, but the Jags should be pretty happy with how Brown has developed through his short career. That one Saints game was so awesome.
Christian Braswell
Contract: 1-year, $1,030,000 deal.
Age: 25 (26 in September).
Games Played: Three in two years with Jacksonville.
Stats: Five career tackles.
Notes:
Braswell will likely fall in as the team’s backup nickel. He played in three games last year, playing his biggest game of the year in that forgettable Monday Night loss to the Buffalo Bills. Braswell hasn’t done much in his career and if Lewis is playing well and healthy, his defensive stats will largely stay unchanged. Braswell’s impact will be felt on special teams if anything.
De’Antre Prince
Contract: Second year of a 4-year, $4,352,228 rookie deal.
Age: 24 (25 in October).
Games Played: 10 during rookie year.
Stats: Six tackles, one PBU.
Notes:
Prince was a fifth-round pick in last year’s draft alongside Jones, but was not asked to do as much. He appeared in 10 games and had a handful of tackles. He, like Braswell, will stay as depth pieces for now, though last year’s team might have had higher hopes for the former Ole Miss standout.
#Jaguars CB De’Antre Prince reached out to longtime NFL corner Josh Norman after he was drafted.
He sought out career advice and soaked up the information he was given.
“I was just wanting to pick his brain and see his mindset going in…” https://t.co/IyzEzwqbWX
— Juston W. Lewis (@JustonLewis_) July 22, 2024
Zech McPhearson
Contract: One-year, $1,030,000 deal.
Age: 27 (28 in March).
Games Played: 33 since 2021, all with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Notes:
Down the depth chart of corners is McPhearson, who was a former fourth-round pick from Texas Tech by the Eagles. McPhearson hasn’t appeared in an NFL game since 2022 and was a practice squad player last year. He has been around the NFL long enough to provide the Jags some sort of depth if absolutely needed.
Jabbar Muhammad
Contract: First year of a 3-year, $2,980,000 rookie deal.
Age: 23 (24 in December).
Games Played: 60 across five college seasons.
Stats: Led Oregon with 12 PBUs last season. Second in FBS in 2023 with 19 passes defended.
Notes:
Starting the list of undrafted additions to this year’s team is Muhammad, who entered the 2024-25 college season with enormous upside. Muhammad is a former Honorable Mention All-Big 12 player at Oklahoma State, a Second-Team All-Pac 12 honoree with Washington and ended his career with an Honorable Mention All-Big Ten nod. In back-to-back seasons, he led his team in pass breakups but his slight stature (5’9”, 182 pounds) and a bad combine hurt his overall draft status. He will be a nickel in the NFL due to his size and there is reason to believe he can do it. If he gets the chance will be the biggest question mark.
Aydan White
Contract: First year of a 3-year, $2,975,000 rookie deal.
Age: 23 (24 in February).
Games Played: 49 across five seasons with NC State.
Stats: 59 tackles in final seasons, nine career interceptions.
Notes:
White hails from NC State, where, according to his Wolfpack bio, he didn’t allow a touchdown in back-to-back years. He had 59 tackles last season and ended the year with a team-high 8 career interceptions.
Doneiko Slaughter
Contract: First year of a 3-year, $2,980,000 rookie deal.
Age: 23 (24 in November).
Games Played: 40 across five college seasons.
Stats: 13 career PBUs, four sacks, two picks.
Notes:
Of the corners on this roster, Slaughter may have the coolest overall name. So he has that going for him. Slaughter comes from Arkansas after four years at Tennessee. He started a career-high 13 games last season for the Razorbacks and had seven passes defended. His best game of the year came against Auburn, where he had nine tackles, two TFLs and a sack on the road.
What are your thoughts on the CB unit entering 2025? Let us know in the comments below!