Diving Into the Jaguars Most Expected Pick Prediction: Cornerback

Apr 24, 2024 at 05:58 PM

John Oehser

Jaguars Senior Writer

JACKSONVILLE – This isn't considered a particularly deep draft overall.

This is true at many positions, particularly on defense. But one defensive position in the 2024 NFL Draft is considered strong, with quality well past Round 1.

That position is cornerback.

"It's a good group of corners," NFL Media draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah said.

"There's just a lot of good corners this year," ESPN analyst Mike Tannenbaum said, calling the depth at corner "one of the strengths of this draft."

Even so, that may not mean Top 10 status for the position.

While 11 cornerbacks have been selected in the Top 10 of the last 10 NFL Drafts, the top half of this year's draft is expected to be dominated by positions such as quarterback, wide receiver and offensive line. That is expected to cause defensive players to slip.

Many analysts still have commonly projected four-to-five cornerbacks in Round 1, with Quinyon Mitchell of Toledo often considered the position's top prospect and Terrion Arnold of Alabama also considered by many the best available corner. Kool-Aid McKinstry of Alabama and Nate Wiggins of Clemson also are considered first-round cornerbacks, as is Cooper DeJean of Iowa.

"It's a really good group, and one reason is they're a bunch of tall corners," NFL Media/Jaguars analyst Bucky Brooks said. "You see a bunch of corners listed at 5-feet-11 or taller, which means they're categorized as guys that can match with the size guys on the perimeter. They're a bunch of guys with a lot of experience and a lot of guys that are very comfortable in press coverage."

Alabama defensive back Terrion Arnold (3) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)

Jeremiah has projected 14 of 15 corners in Rounds 1-3.

"Once you get through that top group, in that second-to-third-round range, a good number of those guys are going to be nickels," Jeremiah said.

ESPN analyst Matt Miller projected six cornerbacks with a first-round grade – and while none may be selected in the Top 10, the position could help define the second half of Round 1.

"We could see a run at the corner position, most definitely," Miller said. "There are a lot of teams that have a need at corner and there are a lot of corners who are really good players. The matchup of need and value is really at special at corner."

HANDICAPPING THE JAGUARS

This is a position of high interest for the Jaguars as the draft approaches, with many observers believing corner the team's most likely selection with the No. 17 overall selection in the '24 draft. The team is expected to play a different style at the position under newly hired defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen, emphasizing more man-to-man coverage. The Jaguars earlier this offseason released cornerback Darious Williams, who tied for the team lead with four interceptions last season, and signed 10-year veteran Ronald Darby as an unrestricted free agent from the Baltimore Ravens. Darby could start opposite three-year starter Tyson Campbell, who was hampered much of last season with a hamstring issue. The Jaguars also like third-year veteran Montaric Brown and second-year veteran Christian Braswell, but the position lacks extensive experience beyond that. Considering the need to find players to fit the coverage scheme, and considering the need for four or five front-line cornerbacks in the modern pass-oriented NFL, the Jaguars selecting two players at this position in the first four-to-five rounds wouldn't be surprising.

--John Oehser

CHANCE JAGUARS TAKE A CORNERBACK IN ROUND 1

Very, very good.

CORNERBACKS ON THE JAGUARS ROSTER

On the roster: