The Jacksonville Jaguars have a pressing need to find a starting cornerback to pair with Tyson Campbell this offseason, making it a top priority. Fortunately, this is a great year for cornerback options in free agency, and an NFL insider has indicated that the Jaguars are already eyeing one.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that the Jags are considering Detroit Lions cornerback Carlton Davis, who will be entering free agency for the third time in his career.
“The Vikings are aiming to re-sign corner Byron Murphy Jr., one of several veteran corners set for significant deals. Meanwhile, the Jaguars are expected to explore the market for veteran corner Carlton Davis III, another third-contract player.”
Davis, a second-round pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2018, joined the Lions last season. He registered two interceptions, two forced fumbles, and 11 passes defended. The former Auburn player allowed a completion rate of 55.3 percent, and since he plays on the boundary, he would be a great fit to start opposite Campbell in Jacksonville. This would enable Jarrian Jones to stay in the slot, where he showed promise last season.
Spotrac projects Carlton to receive an annual salary of $13.8 million. Although this is not exactly cheap, it is lower than the top market rates for cornerbacks. This makes it reasonable for the Jaguars to look into signing him.
While this is just an estimate, it would be a smart move for Jacksonville if they can secure Davis at that price or something close to it.
The Jaguars have roughly $38 million in cap space, giving them enough room to make a few acquisitions in free agency. Given their numerous needs, they could address one in free agency and handle the rest in the draft. Strengthening the offensive line is a major priority, but they can likely address that in the middle rounds. Similarly, the safety position could be addressed in the draft.
That leaves the defensive line, wide receiver, a No. 3 pass rusher, and cornerback as the remaining needs. Among these, cornerback is arguably the most pressing. Addressing it in free agency would allow the Jaguars to focus on other areas in the draft, potentially selecting the best player available at No. 5, such as Travis Hunter, Mason Graham, or Tetairoa McMillan.
Returning to Carlton Davis, while he may not be a standout ballhawk, he is reliable. Other options like D.J. Reed and Byron Murphy would be excellent additions, but they are likely to command much higher prices. Although they would be worth the investment, the Jags are not in a position to spend a significant portion of their cap on just one player.
As noted by Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, this year’s free agent class is filled with top-tier talent, but teams may find better value in the second tier of players available. Davis likely falls into this category.
It’s also worth noting that the Jaguars will be monitoring his market, meaning they’ll pass on him if his price goes above their budget.
In conclusion, signing Carlton Davis could be an excellent move for the Jags. While he’s not their only option, he might offer the best value when considering his potential cost.