Jaguars Focus On Defense In First Round Of The 2020 NFL Draft

The Jaguars chose University of Florida cornerback C.J. Henderson as their top pick (9th overall) in the First Round of the 2020 NFL Draft. The team stayed with defense for its second First Round selection (20th overall) taking defensive end/linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson out of Louisiana State University.

The Jaguars didn’t waste any time looking for someone to fill the void left at cornerback when A.J. Bouye was traded to the Broncos in March in a move that freed up $4,000,000 of cap space for Jacksonville according to Spotrac.com. The Jaguars have been in the market for a cornerback since last October when the team traded Jalen Ramsey to the Rams for draft picks – including two this year (Round 1, 20 and Round 5, 165).

Henderson earned first team All-SEC honors in 2019 after playing nine games and making 33 tackles and 11 passes defensed for the University of Florida. He spoke with members of the Jacksonville, FL media during a Zoom videoconference shortly after being selected by the Jaguars in the NFL’s first ever virtual draft.

“The experience back at home is the same feeling you have at the draft and still thankful that I got the opportunity, so I am taking advantage of that,” Henderson said.  “Oh, it feels great! I hear great things about their defense, and I plan on learning more and adding a few sparks too.” 

The Jaguars certainly could use a spark on defense after trading away some key components of their defense. In addition to Bouye leaving, defensive end and captain Calais Campbell was traded to the Ravens for a 2020 fifth round pick (170 overall) and that cleared $15,000,000 of cap space according to Spotrac.com. The Jaguars also did not pick up the option on the contract of defensive lineman Marcell Dareus that cleared $20,000,000 of cap space also per Spotrac.com. 

Henderson came highly recommended by his former Gator teammate Jawaan Taylor who was the Jaguars’ second pick (2^ndround 35^thoverall) in the 2019 NFL Draft. The left tackle signed a four-year rookie contract worth $7,823,899 with a $3,710,108 singing bonus, $5,767,004 guaranteed and an average annual salary of $1,955,975 according to Spotrac.com. In 2020, Taylor will earn a base salary of $850,632 while carrying a cap hit of $1,778,159 and a dead cap value of $4,839,477 also per Spotrac.com. 

Taylor described Henderson as a hardworking player who is not only very athletic but who is also mentally strong and a student of the game of football. Taylor and Henderson played together for two years at Florida. Taylor admitted he was “pushing hard” for Henderson before the draft and that he was looking forward to hopefully suiting up with him again. 

“Actually I met with the Jags like three times and basically getting to know each other and seeing what type of person I was,” Henderson revealed. “They told me the great things Jawaan [Taylor] told them about me and they felt great about me. And I’m thankful they gave me the opportunity.”

Florida Head Coach Dan Mullen also weighed in on the Jaguars’ top pick and he echoed Taylor’s opinion of Henderson’s work ethic. 

“He’s just a perfectionist, “ Mullen noted via Zoom videoconference. “One thing you’ll see is he’s one of the first ones in and definitely one of the last two leave.” 

Mullen also described Henderson as a hardworking player who keeps working on his skills and technique to improve his play. 

“I think that might be the best pick the Jags have made in a long, long, long, time, Mullen said. “I know they’re going to be thrilled!”

Meanwhile, Henderson understands he’s got some big shoes to fill with the departure of Ramsey and Bouye.

“I’m good. Yeah, I’m definitely ready to take on the challenge,” Henderson admitted. “I’m ready for it.”

Chaisson, the Jaguars’ second first round pick and a Houston, TX native, played in 26 games with 17 starts in his three years with the LSU Tigers. He tallied 92 tackles including 19.0 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks.

This marks the third consecutive year that Jacksonville has drafted a defensive lineman in the first round. Last year the team picked defensive end Josh Allen out of the University of Kentucky and in 2018 the Jaguars selected defensive lineman Taven Bryan out of Florida.