The Jacksonville Jaguars have found themselves a new starting safety in Tashaun Gipson. The former Cleveland Brown will help solidify the Jacksonville secondary as the Jaguars gave up a ton of points in 2015 thanks to their porous defensive backfield. Gipson's best season came in 2014 when he recorded six interceptions in 11 games.
In 2015 Gipson was relatively quiet though, as he only had 2 interceptions in 14 games. The Jaguars clearly believe he can return to his rookie form when Gipson looked like one of the best safeties in the league. Gipson is the fourth Browns player to leave the team during the 2016 NFL Free Agent period as players like wide receiver Travis Benjamin, who signed with the San Diego Chargers, departed for green pastures.
Offensive linemen Mitchell Schwartz and Pro Bowl center Alex Mack also left the Browns for the Kansas City Chiefs and the Atlanta Falcons, respectively, so this loss hurts even more to a team that was looking to add talent this offseason. The Browns are looking like they are closer to rebuilding more than ever and the loss of Gipson mean Cleveland's secondary will struggle unless they find a suitable replacement. Gipson will now get to join a Jaguars team that is looking to turn the corner in terms of competitiveness.
The Jaguars were on the bottom of the NFL for several seasons, but with emerging stars on both sides of the ball they are poised to finally fight for the AFC South championship and maybe even make a run into the playoffs.
The Jaguars have been major players in free agency and acquiring Gipson is just one in the many moves the organization made in the past 48 hours. Chris Ivory, formerly from the New York Jets, was added. Ivory will complement the Jaguars' starting running back TJ Yeldon fairly well as they look to gain an edge with a dynamic rushing attack.
The Jaguars also added defensive lineman Malik Jackson. Jackson was the biggest free agent hitting the open market this year and the Jaguars spared no expense in bringing him to the franchise. By adding Gipson the Jaguars have already transformed the look of this defense and with their 5th overall pick in April soon to join th fold the Jaguars could have a very productive defense heading into the 2016 regular season.
