The Jacksonville Jaguars have a glaring need at the cornerback position and they've signed a veteran to help improve their secondary. With the official start of free agency just a day away, Jacksonville is reportedly signing Darqueze Dennard, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Former #Bengals CB Darqueze Dennard is headed to the #Jaguars, source said. The former first rounder lands in Jax as they continue to add.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 17, 2020
Just in the past year, the Jaguars have traded Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye from their secondary. Given those moves, Jacksonville is tasked with trying to fill the voids left by both Pro Bowl cornerbacks.
While Dennard isn't an elite cornerback, he's a solid addition to a team in dire need of some experience in the secondary. He began his career as a first-round pick for the Cincinnati Bengals in 2014 out of Michigan State.
Throughout his six seasons in Cincinnati, Dennard's role in the defense constantly changed. Nevertheless, his best season came in 2017, when he was able to play in all 16 games for the only time in his career. That year, Dennard recorded 85 tackles, six deflections and an interception.
As for this past season, despite missing seven games, Dennard performed decently considering the circumstances. In his final season with the Bengals, the former Spartan totaled 37 tackles and five deflections despite starting the year on the physically unable to perform list with a knee injury.
Even though he failed to corral an interception in 2019, he allowed just 18 receptions on 33 targets. Again, Dennard isn't a cornerback that is going to be able to replace Ramsey or Bouye alone amid Jacksonville's rebuild.
But at the least, he's a start for a team that could use any help they can get. Prior to signing Dennard, the Jaguars shelled out a decent bit of money to land Joe Schobert in free agency. Both signings go to show that Jacksonville is making the defense a priority this offseason.
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