It’s no secret the Jacksonville Jaguars had been poor on protection final season, and particularly so when it got here to stopping the go. Loads of that was as a consequence of issues with the staff’s safeties.
On this week’s version of the state of the roster, we’re looking at a revamped assortment of safeties that has a mixture of veteran expertise and younger, thrilling draft picks ready within the wings.
Whereas the cornerback room may stand to be an computerized vibrant spot on this squad, the security unit could possibly be something. What is going to the Jags get from Darnell Savage and Antonio Johnson? Can Eric Murray make as large an impression as they hope? Is somebody like Rayuan Lane the long run?
There are a wholesome quantity of query marks with this unit, even together with who’s going to begin as soon as the season begins.
Contract: Second yr of a 3-year, $21,750,000 deal.
Age: 27 (28 on July 31).
Video games Performed: 85 throughout six-year profession, 13 final yr in Jacksonville.
Stats: 51 tackles, one interception, six passes defended.
Notes:
Savage returns after an up-and-down yr final yr because the possible starter reverse of Murray. He performed all around the subject final season and will likely be requested to make use of his vary once more this season, principally simply on the security place. The protection as an entire was a large number final yr and Savage possible has drawn ire due to that. In new defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile’s system, Savage might be able to take an even bigger leap and make a bigger impression given the skillset he has displayed throughout his profession.
Contract: First yr of a 3-year, $19,500,000 deal.
Age: 31 (32 in January).
Video games Performed: 124 throughout 9 seasons.
Stats: Profession-high 10 passes defended final yr, 385 profession tackles, three picks, 5 sacks.
Notes:
The large free agent addition to Duval County was Murray by the use of the Houston Texans. Murray is coming off a banner yr, with a career-high 10 passes defended and a career-best 75 tackles. Since being drafted in 2016, Murray has performed in 17 video games simply twice, together with final season. Murray’s PFF grades final yr had been all about on the common mark incomes a complete grade of 63.8 (Savage ranked at 46.9). The important thing numbers are that Murray performed nearly 900 whole snaps with a wholesome distribution between run protection (321) and protection (520). He missed simply 13 tackles all yr. If the Jags desire a pair of athletic, do-it-all safeties, they appear to have it in Savage and Murray.
Contract: Third yr of a 4-year, $4,141,832 rookie deal.
Age: 23 (24 in October).
Video games Performed: 30 throughout two seasons in Jacksonville.
Stats: Two profession picks, 5 profession passes defended, career-high 17 video games performed final season.
Notes:
Johnson didn’t have almost as spectacular a sophomore season as he did in his rookie yr. Going again to PFF numbers, Johnson posted a 43.9. Solely 13 safeties graded out worse than the previous Texas A&M star final season. That being stated, Johnson unsurprisingly shined within the run protection sport the place he posted a 75.2 grade on 229 whole snaps. Johnson continues to be a uncooked expertise and has been moved round throughout his time within the NFL. The upside is there with Johnson, however he might want to clear up his abysmal 35.2 passing sport grade, which ranked forward of simply eight different safeties.
Contract: First yr of a 4-year, $6,281,080 rookie deal.
Age: 22 (23 in December).
Video games Performed: 49 throughout 4 seasons at Troy and Tulane.
Stats: 4 TFLs final season and one sack, three go breakups.
Notes:
The primary of the 2 safeties drafted this yr by the Jags is Ransaw out of Tulane. On the mix, Ransaw posted a 90 general athleticism grade and posted a blazing quick 4.33 40-yard sprint. His 40 time would have been the quickest of all of the safeties and was the third quickest amongst corners. He performed nook in school however will likely be making the change to security within the execs, utilizing his dimension (5’11”, nearly 200 kilos) and velocity to defend the defensive again finish. Ransaw is a particularly thrilling participant the Jags will be unable to maintain shelved for too lengthy. He will definitely make an early impression on particular groups, however it wouldn’t be shocking if somebody like Savage struggles early that Ransaw will get in on the motion.
Contract: Closing yr of a 3-year, $9,600,000 deal.
Age: 28 (29 in December).
Video games Performed: 86 throughout eight years with Jacksonville.
Stats: 5 profession picks, 12 passes defended.
Notes:
Possibly Dewey cursed us all by waving that Horrible Towel. Possibly it was value it. We could by no means know. But when there’s a coronary heart and soul participant on the Jags it’s Wingard. What he does for this staff is usually off the sphere and within the locker room, although he generally is a advantageous substitute participant when wanted. He ought to be instructor for the likes of Ransaw and Lane. For a depth participant and particular teamer, the Jags may do far worse than Wingard.
Contract: First yr of a 4-year, $4,422,176 rookie deal.
Age: 22 (23 in June).
Video games Performed: 49 throughout 4 seasons with Navy.
Stats: 20 passes defended, seven profession picks, three pressured fumbles final season.
Notes:
Within the dictionary beside the definition of loyalty, there’s a image of Lane. Lane performed all 4 of his school seasons at Navy. He had the prospect to depart and make six-figure NIL offers at larger colleges, however selected to remain at his service academy and end what he began. He will likely be a Marine when his NFL days are over. Simon Carroll particulars his journey extra in depth HERE. If there’s a participant to get utterly overly pumped about throughout camp, it ought to be Lane. He’s the very same dimension as Ransaw and performs nearly the identical. He was a First-Workforce All-American Athletic Convention final season after incomes a Third-Workforce nod in 2023. He ought to be a particular groups ace early in his profession.
Contract: Final yr of a 2-year, $4,000,000 deal.
Age: 27 (28 in July).
Video games Performed: 71 throughout 5 seasons in Jacksonville.
Stats: 71 profession tackles, one profession choose.
Notes:
One other participant within the Wingard archetype is Thomas. Thomas has by no means been a big effect participant for the Jags defensively however is a good particular teamer. He’s a glue man across the staff and is value maintaining round due to it. Like Wingard, he isn’t going to wow you or be somebody followers clamor to see man the backend. However he’s an above-replacement participant and might make an impression when known as upon.
Contract: First yr of a 3-year, $2,966,500 rookie deal.
Age: 22 (23 in October).
Video games Performed: 47 throughout 4 school seasons at Jackson State and Colorado.
Stats: Profession-highs in tackles (89), passes defended (three) and sacks (two) final yr. Wore Colorado “L” patch for being a staff chief.
Notes:
A former teammate of Travis Hunter at Colorado, Silmon-Craig joined the staff as a UDFA. He’ll begin as a follow squad participant. Silmon-Craig had a powerful yr final season with a career-high 89 tackles and three passes defended. He performed a number of field security and a number of particular groups. Colorado head coach Deion Sanders was an enormous proponent of Silmon-Craig, and his numbers do rather a lot to again that up. For a extra in-depth take a look at his profession, go HERE.
The Colorado Buffaloes had a very good protection final yr. The perfect defender on the staff was Travis Hunter, one of the best participant on this yr’s draft & then Cam’ron Silmon-Craig. Not solely did he continuously make large performs. He was a frontrunner on that subject. On this ultimate drive by Baylor,… pic.twitter.com/69qTbU7xd9
— NoSkoZone (@noskozone) April 6, 2025
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