The Jacksonville Jaguars have been trying to draft and develop a franchise cornerback for years.
In the 2020 NFL Draft, they selected former Florida Gators star C.J. Henderson No. 9 overall. They quickly bailed on Henderson, however, during his second pro season, with 2021 second-round pick Tyson Campbell looking like a breakout candidate.
But much like Henderson, Campbell hasn't been able to stay on the field. He’s currently on injured reserve battling the same soft-tissue injuries that cut his 2023 season short.
Campbell’s absence has created opportunity for Jacksonville’s newest rising star at the position — former seventh-round pick Montaric Brown.
Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox picked one hidden gem from all 32 NFL teams on Friday, and Brown was his pick for the Jaguars. Here’s Knox’s take on what has been one of the team’s few bright spots during an 0-4 start to the season:
A 2022 seventh-round pick out of Arkansas, Brown saw little playing time as a rookie (63 defensive snaps) before making six starts and logging 34 tackles with four passes defended in 2023. He's already made three starts in 2024 and has seen a significant rise in usage.
After playing just 19 snaps in Jacksonville's season-opener, the 25-year-old has played at least 96 percent of the defensive snaps over the past three games. While he hasn't provided shut-down coverage play—he's allowed an opposing passer rating of 95.6—he's already recorded 29 tackles, 22 solo stops and a team-high (tied) three passes defended.
Brown performed like a franchise corner against a good Texans offense in Week 4, playing 74 of 75 defensive snaps. Quarterback C.J. Stroud targeted Brown in coverage nine times and completed just three passes for 33 scoreless yards, according to PFF’s premium stats.
If the Jaguars are able to turn their season around, starting in Week 5 at home against the Indianapolis Colts, they’re going to be leaning on young and unproven players on defense.
They appear to have found a diamond in the rough in Brown, who should remain a full-time player for Jacksonville even after Campbell returns.
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