2024 Offseason: Which Options Could Jaguars Explore at Cornerback?
After a discouraging finish to the 2024 season, we broke down the Jaguars’ biggest needs heading into the 2024 off-season. Now, we’ll take a look at which available players best fit the team's needs at cornerback.
Cornerbacks
Despite returning from an injury-riddled season, it would be a surprise if 2021 second-round pick Tyson Campbell does not retain his spot as one of the team's starting corners. While Campbell struggled at times, his mobility was visibly impacted by his lingering hamstring and quadricep issues. In his first year with the Jaguars, Darious Williams held his own. In 2021, Williams started 13 games for the Los Angeles Rams throughout their Super Bowl Run. This season, Williams finished fifth in the league in interceptions, while landing just outside the top-10 in pass breakups (#13). Although cornerback is not a glaringly weak position for the Jaguars, they would benefit from adding a strong nickel corner who can flex to the outside spot if needed.
1) L’Jarius Sneed
A free safety in college, Sneed was used almost exclusively as a nickel cornerback prior to 2023. The Louisiana Tech product was named to the PFWA All-Rookie team in 2020.
As a slot corner, Sneed filled a lot of roles for the Chiefs. At 6-foot-1 and 195 pounds, Sneed possesses the size and power to match up with running backs, tight ends and some of the league’s larger receivers. Sneed also excels when being used as a blitzer. Since entering the league in 2020, Sneed ranks first in sacks among all NFL cornerbacks.
In 2023, Sneed took on a new role. The Louisiana Tech product served as the team's No. 1 cornerback, a role he excelled in. Sneed’s length and lateral twitch make him a pest in man coverage. All-Pro wide receivers like Tyreek Hill, Jamarr Chase, and Stefon Diggs have struggled to get a clean release off the line of scrimmage when matched up against Sneed.
Sneed’s aggressive nature often persists throughout the whole play, receivers have caught just 50% of all passes thrown in his direction (8th best in the league). A wide receiver in high school, Sneed possesses advanced ball skills that often allow him to poke away passes at the last second. According to Player Profiler, Sneed has the 6th best coverage rating when lining up in man-to-man.
2) Kendall Fuller
Despite primarily lining up on outside receivers this season (likely out of necessity), Fuller has developed a strong reputation as a slot corner since entering the league in 2016.
According to Player Profiler, Fuller has ranked amongst the league’s best in pass-breakups and target rate throughout his career. As recently as 2022, Fuller broke up the fourth most passes in the NFL while being targeted on just 13% of passes (top 20 in the league). After having to serve as Washington's no.1 corner in 2023, Fuller’s grades dropped. However, he still managed to stay in the top-30 in both categories (breakups, target rate).
Fuller will turn 29 before this season starts, and a full-time move to nickel would probably benefit him. After all, Fuller was lined up in the slot (guarding Deebo Samuel) when he caught the game-clinching interception for the Chiefs in Super Bowl LIV. At 5-foot-11 and 198 pounds, Fuller has also demonstrated a willingness to square up and effectively tackle larger ball-carriers. This season, Fuller totaled 79 tackles. Fuller has surpassed 50 tackles in all but 2 seasons throughout his career.
Former Commanders head coach Ron Rivera has previously touted Fuller’s football IQ and leadership ability. “Guys like that can explain how it works and how things need to be done. I think that's important.” Rivera said. Fuller’s added veteran presence can assist in the development of the Jaguars' young cornerbacks, especially Tyson Campbell.
3) Kenny Moore II
Since entering the league as an undrafted free agent out of Division 2 Valdosta State, Moore has demonstrated an intangible that every team searches for in their slot corners. Whether you want to say he is “scrappy”, or has a “dog-mentality”, he plays as if were much larger than his compact 5-foot-9, 190-pound frame.
Moore will be 29 years old when the 2024 season kicks off, but he hasn’t shown any signs of regression thus far. The former Pro Bowler racked up 93 tackles this year, the 2nd most out of all cornerbacks in the NFL. Moore’s fearless instincts and processing abilities often help him blow up screen passes and outside runs; he finished first out of all cornerbacks in tackles for loss this season.
In coverage, Moore is often tasked with guarding the opposing team's shiftiest player, typically a slot receiver or running back. He’s also shown that he can stick with some of the league's larger targets. According to Player Profiler, in week 16 Moore spent 40% of the game guarding Kyle Pitts (6-foot-6), who finished with just 3 catches for 41 yards.
