The Jacksonville Jaguars have several defensive questions.
From Week 10 onward in 2023, the Jaguars were 24th in defensive EPA per play and 25th in success rate. Firing Mike Caldwell and hiring Ryan Nielsen was certainly a great upgrade at defensive coordinator, but that doesn’t make all of their issues go away. Their defense lost cornerback Darious Williams and will now lean on Ronald Darby as a starter opposite of Tyson Campbell.
With that in mind, Brent Sobleski of Bleacher Report named Notre Dame star cornerback Benjamin Morrison as the perfect match for the Jaguars.
“Over the last five draft classes, Jacksonville has selected 13 defensive backs, including the 2020 ninth overall pick, C.J. Henderson, who hasn't been with the Jaguars since the 2021 campaign,” Sobleski wrote. “When looking at the squad's current setup, Tyson Campbell is a free agent after this season and Ronald Darby turns 31 in January. A true front-line starter at outside corner could go a long way in the AFC South, which features significant young talent at the quarterback position. Notre Dame's Benjamin Morrison has the length, physicality and instincts to be a high-level NFL CB. Over the last two seasons, the true junior has 23 defended passes and nine interceptions.”
Morrison would be an instant starter for the Jaguars. And while that is a hefty statement to make before the 2024 season even starts, it also gives you a peek into how I feel about the Jaguars’ cornerbacks. Their struggles were a big part of Jacksonville losing five of their final six games, and they will have a lot to prove in 2024.
