The Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback room took a huge hit when it was announced that Jalen Ramsey was traded to the Los Angeles Rams. That need grew even more direr when the Jaguars doubled-down, trading All-Pro teammate, A.J. Bouye, just a few months down the road in exchange for a fourth-round pick from the Denver Broncos.
The Jaguars have a serious lack of both talent and depth at the position and will need to be on the hunt for their replacements in the 2020 Draft. The team seems confident in Tre Herndon’s ability to man one side, however, the team still lacks competition on the other side. Let’s take a look at the top-5 cornerbacks in this class as Jacksonville eyes help in their secondary:
Jeffrey Okudah
Why not replace Jalen Ramsey with the best corner since Ramsey? Okudah is among the best corners to come out in recent years. He’s long, fast, physical, and extremely talented. He’s regarded by many as the best player in the 2020 NFL Draft aside from his college teammate Chase Young, and it’s easy to see why. The Buckeye was rarely targeted but when he did he produced, intercepting three passes in his final season in Columbus. He also accounted for zero penalties, an impressive feat on its own.
C.J. Henderson
Maybe the most talented corner in the draft, C.J. Henderson went to the NFL Combine as a man on a mission. Needless to say, he knocked the performance out of the park, posting a RAS of 10.0 out of 1.0. From an athleticism standpoint, he’s one of the best to ever come out. His play on the field, at times, is equally as dominant. He has oily hips and his flashes reign supreme in a deep cornerback class. That said, his inconsistency and tackling concerns have left some meat on the bone in terms of his untapped potential. Regardless, Henderson is extremely talented and his first-round buzz is well deserved.
Kristian Fulton
Kristian Fulton has been one of my favorite players in college football for quite some time now. He was one of my first prospect write-ups from way back in October and remains a guy the Jaguars should target. While he isn’t a guy that demands the ninth overall selection, getting Fulton at No. 20 or No. 42 would be a solid pick for the team. He’s likely the most polished player in the class at corner and would be an instant starter for Todd Wash’s defense.
Jeff Gladney
Jeff Gladney has come on strong in recent months. His small stature (5-foot-10, 191-pounds) takes nothing away from how gifted this prospect really is. He was the Big 12’s best secondary defender last season and his speed and quickness allow him to keep up with the best of them. I have him graded similarly to Fulton and I wouldn’t bat an eye if he was their pick at No. 20 or No. 42. He’s underrated by the media and fans will find out just how well-liked he is by teams come draft day.
A.J. Terrell
Usually, key contributors to championship-caliber teams get their fair share of media coverage during the draft cycle. However, that hasn’t quite been the case for Clemson’s A.J. Terrell. It’s rare to see any buzz surrounding the All-ACC cornerback. He’s really fluid, is a solid athlete, and incredibly smooth, all things you’d expect from a Clemson corner. He’s good at almost everything, he just isn’t necessarily great at one thing. Regardless, he is a guy at No. 42 that Jags fans should be elated to get.
