2023 NFL Draft: Why the Jaguars Drafted Christian Braswell
The Jacksonville Jaguars have thrown plenty of darts at the cornerback position on Day 3 in recent years. That didn't change this year, with the Jaguars waiting until pick No. 202 to select their first cornerback: Rutgers cornerback Christian Braswell.
As a senior in 2022, Braswell played in all 12 games and started five, being named honorable mention All-Big Ten as he led the team with 11 pass breakups and three interceptions.
Braswell didn't play in 2021 due to a knee injury, though he played six games at Temple in 2020 and recorded 21 tackles.
As things stand today, the Jaguars see two things that stand out about their rookie cornerback: special teams value and coverage skills. For a team that took two late-round cornerbacks the year before and are still trying to find answers at the position behind their starting duo, Braswell could be a sleeper to make an impact.
"When you talk to their coaches, he was a transfer in there, one year with them at Rutgers. A guy that stepped in, played a lot of football. They spoke very highly of him. You watch how he competed the last part of the season," Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke said after the Jaguars selected Braswell.
"And then you look at the numbers -- 40-inch vertical guy, almost 11-foot broad jumper. He's got some explosion in his body and he's really quick in a short area, which you have to be in the nickel."
Whether Braswell takes advantage of what the Jaguars saw on tape won't truly be known until the end of training camp when the first 53-man roster is put together. But for now, it is at least clear the Jaguars believe Braswell gives them an athletic and competitive option to develop at the nickel position over the next several months and maybe even years.
"You always look back, we talked last night when it ended and how that day went and where we were at and what we wanted to look forward to coming into today. And we just wanted to add good football players," Baalke said after Day 3.
"You never go wrong adding guys that love to play the game, that are smart, competent guys. Versatility, we use that word a lot, but a lot of the guys you can see, as we add these pieces, they have versatility. And when you only have 53 guys on a roster, you need that. This isn't college where you turn around and you've got 57 guys that are -- 60, 70 guys to choose from while the other ones are out on the field or more. You've got 53. And only 48 on game day. So the more they can do, the better. But we're excited for this group to get them in here and just get our hands on them and see exactly what we've got and let them show us what they can do."
