Report: Jaguars Set to Add Veteran Cornerback Rashaan Melvin to Defense

The Jacksonville Jaguars are continuing to add to their depth on the defensive side of the ball with veteran cornerback Rashaan Melvin to a one-year, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.

Former Lions’ cornerback Rashaan Melvin is signing a one-year, $2.25 million deal with the Jaguars, per @RosenhausSports.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 24, 2020

The Jaguars later confirmed the move on Tuesday. In the last week, the Jaguars have made six free agent signings, with all coming on the defensive side of the ball and with most of these players likely to have depth roles in 2020. The following players have been signed by the Jaguars this offseason:

LB Joe Schobert
CB Darqueze Dennard
DL Rodney Gunter
DT Al Woods
DE/LB Cassius Marsh
CB Rashaan Melvin

“We’re really excited to add Rashaan to our secondary as he’ll compete at the outside cornerback position,” head coach Doug Marrone said. “He’s an experienced player and has produced at a high level in this league. He has good size and speed and does a great job of competing play-in and play-out and challenging the receiver at the catch. We’re excited to add him to our roster.”

Jacksonville desperately needed to improve its defensive depth after a 2019 season in which injuries sapped the team of starting-level talent at all three levels of the field.

With Melvin in the fold, the Jaguars have more veteran experience at cornerback thanks to Melvin's six seasons in the NFL. Melvin, 30, is now one of the older players on the Jaguars' roster following the departure of other veterans such as Calais Campbell and Nick Foles earlier this offseason.

Last season, Melvin played in 13 games (starting 12) for the Detroit Lions, recording 68 tackles and 11 pass deflections during his lone season with the Lions. With Melvin added, the Jaguars' cornerback room now consists of Melvin, Dennard, D.J. Hayden, Tre Herndon, Brandon Watson, and Parry Nickerson.

In his six seasons, Melvin has played in 64 games and started in 40. He has recorded 244 tackles, four tackles for loss, four interceptions, 41 pass deflections, three forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery.

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