2023 NFL Draft: How Would Miami CB Tyrique Stevenson Fit With the Jaguars?

Would Tyrique Stevenson be a smart option for the Jaguars at cornerback?

Author:
John Shipley
Publish date:
Apr 18, 2023 2:24 PM EDT

The 2023 NFL Draft season is upon us.

Among the 32 teams building their rosters to compete for the next Lombardi Trophy is the Jacksonville Jaguars, who hold nine picks in this season’s draft -- including the No. 24 overall pick.

As we march closer and closer to April’s draft, we will look at individual draft prospects and how they would potentially fit with the Jaguars. Instead of looking at any negatives, we are going to look at what the players do well and if they could match what the Jaguars need at the specific role or position.

Next up: Miami cornerback Tyrique Stevenson.

Overview

A four star recruit in the 2019 class, Stevenson was ranked the No. 3 cornerback and was only behind Derek Stingley and Andrew Booth. The No. 37 overall recruit in the country, Stevenson was ranked the No. 4 played in Florida, behind Nolan Smith, Trey Sanders, and Evan Neal.

Stevenson was widely recruited out of high school, receiving nearly 30 offers. He ultimately committed to Georgia over offers from Miami, Auburn, Florida, Alabama, Clemson, FIU, FAU, Florida State, Kentucky, LSU, Louisville, Michigan, NC State, Nebraska, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, UCF, Ole Miss, Oklahoma, and Utah.

Stevenson appeared in 14 games as a true freshman, starting one and recording 13 tackles, one tackle for loss, one sack, and five pass breakups. Stevenson saw a larger role in 2020, appearing in 10 games and starting four, recording 34 tackles, one tackle for loss, and five pass breakups.

Stevenson transferred to Miami in 2021, moving from the STAR position to outside cornerback. Stevenson appeared in 11 games, starting 10 and recording 43 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, five pass deflections, and an interception, earning Honorable Mention All-ACC.

Stevenson returned as a starter in 2022, starting all 11 games and recording 25 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, nine pass breakups, and two interceptions, earning Third-Team All-ACC honors.

What Tyrique Stevenson Does Well

There is no question that Tyrique Stevenson brings a physical element to the cornerback position. Stevenson looks like a strong safety ith his thick and muscular frame, and this imposing size and stature allow him to take the fight to receivers instead of the other way around. Stevenson is effective in press coverage, consistently hitting his landmarks with his jams to disrupt the rhythm of receiver releases and routes.

Stevenson's physicality carries over to the running game and as a tackler. Stevenson is one of the most physical and efficient tacklers at cornerback in this class, bringing power and violence on tackles and consistently not losing ground or yards on contact. His safety background shows up vs. the run on a consistent basis.

In coverage, Stevenson is best in press. He is able to get into the frame of wideouts and force them to the sideline without getting outmuscled or forced off balance. He shows good eyes for the position, driving on underneath and intermediate routes with good timing and anticipation.

How Tyrique Stevenson Would Fit With the Jaguars

The Jaguars need a long-term answer on the outside across from Tyson Campbell, and there may not be many more intriguing options than Stevenson. The Jaguars can afford to pay Darious Williams for another season or two while they have Campbell on a cheap rookie deal, but eventually the Jaguars will need to replace Williams with a younger and cheaper option.

Stevenson is an ideal outside cornerback option after the first round thanks to his physical traits and aggressive play-style. He isn't built to cover every type of receiver, but he has the tenacious and attacking coverage style and instincts to fit in sith the rest of the Jaguars' secondary, while also providing special teams value early in his career.

The one area of issue may be if the Jaguars want Stevenson to play in the slot. Stevenson had one of the highest outside cornerback rates in the entire draft class and transferred to Miami from Georgia in part because he no longer wanted to play the nickel position in Georgia's defense. While his size and tackling ability make him an ideal fit in the slot, it has not always been the best use of his skill-set.

Verdict

Stevenson is a cornerback who seems to fit the Jaguars' prototype on the outside to a tee. He is a big, long outside cornerback with the speed and explosiveness to contest passes at all field levels. Add in his physicality and he looks like a Jaguars cornerback.

Stevenson could make sense at No. 56 overall if the Jaguars don't target cornerback in the first-round, even if he currently ranks in the 70s on the consensus board. He simply has the traits that normally go earlier than third round.

For all of our 2023 NFL Draft profiles, click below.