The Jacksonville Jaguars' starting cornerback, Aaron Colvin, has been suspended by the NFL for violating the league's policy on performance enhancing drugs and will miss four games during the upcoming NFL season.
This will almost ensure that the Jaguars select a cornerback in the upcoming draft, as they will need to build a more productive secondary if they hope to make it to the post season. Colvin was expected to man the slot as the Jaguars brought in Prince Amukamara, but this suspension complicates things.
Colvin started in 15 games during the 2015 regular season, recording 73 combined tackles, four sacks, seven pass defenses and a forced fumble. The Jaguars utilized their cap space in the best possible way, never overpaying for talent, rather setting a cap for each player and coming to an agreement that was beneficial for both sides.
Jacksonville added the top free agent of them all, defensive end Malik Jackson, who will be a versatile piece of their defensive line. Jackson is only 26 years old, so he has a ton of time to develop in Jacksonville's system. Jackson signed a five-year, $85 million deal with the team.
The Jaguars also added free safety Tashaun Gipson, formerly of the Cleveland Browns. The Browns lost a ton of free agents this year, and Gipson was one of the first to jump ship. Gipson signed a five-year, $36 million deal that will keep him in Jacksonville until he is 30 years old. Running back Chris Ivory was also added to the roster; he was the last player who the Jaguars have signed and got a five-year deal worth $32 million.
Ivory will be the change-of-pace back behind T.J. Yeldon, who the Jaguars think can become a bell cow running back. The re-signing of tight end Marcedes Lewis and additions of punter Brad Nortman and offensive lineman Mackenzy Bernadeau make the roster a lot more dynamic.
The Jaguars' most recent big signing came from picking up former New York Giants cornerback Prince Amukamara, as they signed him to a one-year deal. Now, the Jaguars will head into the 2016 NFL Draft focused on finding the best possible player available.
The top need of the Jaguars heading into the draft will be the cornerback position, as Amukamara will be on a short leash. His signing does give the Jaguars some breathing room, and they could look toward the second round to take a cornerback. Colvin's absence will hurt this secondary, but the Jaguars can remedy this, as they could take one of the top cornerbacks in the upcoming draft.
