JACKSONVILLE – Senior writer John Oehser and Jaguars analyst Bucky Brooks examine the Jaguars' cornerback position in this position-by-position look at the '26 offseason:
Position: Cornerback.
Position coach: Anthony Perkins.
2025 starters: Montaric Brown (12), Greg Newsome II (11), Jourdan Lewis (7), Tyson Campbell (5), Jarrian Jones (3), Travis Hunter (2).
Others: Christian Braswell, Keith Taylor, Keni-H Lovely, Jabbar Muhammad.
2025 at a glance: This was a season of transition, development and improvement for the Jaguars at cornerback – a position that looked significantly different by Week 18 than it did in Week 1. Brown, a fifth-year veteran who missed the first two games of the 2025 season with a leg injury, started the final 12 games and emerged as a solid starter with a team-high 12 passes defensed with two interceptions and 27 tackles, 30 solos. Newsome, acquired from the Cleveland Browns in an October trade for Campbell, started the final 11 games with one interception, six passes defensed, with 28 tackles, 23 solos. Lewis, who signed with the Jaguars as an unrestricted free agent from the Dallas Cowboys in the 2025 offseason, started seven of 12 games before a season-ending foot injury and registered 10 passes defensed with two interceptions with 30 tackles, 21 solos. Jones developed as his second NFL season continued, with eight passes defensed and three interceptions with 43 tackles, 31 solos, six for loss. Hunter, the No. 2 overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft, sustained a season-ending knee injury in a Week 9 practice and started two games with three passes defensed.
Offseason storyline: The Jaguars continued to hone and reshape this position in the offseason, expectedly allowing Newsome to sign with the New York Giants as an unrestricted free agent. A key transaction came two days before the March 11 start of the 2026 NFL League Year, with Jaguars re-signing Brown to a reported three-year extension and solidifying a key position in an improving secondary. This could be an area the Jaguars address in the mid-to-late rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Free agents as of March 11: Brown (re-signed with the Jaguars March 9), Newsome (signed with New York Giants as unrestricted free agent).
Bucky Brooks' top three cornerback free agents: 1, Jamal Dean, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers as an unrestricted free agent); 2, Jaylen Watson, Kansas City Chiefs (Los Angeles Rams); 3, Tariq Woolen, Seattle Seahawks (Philadelphia Eagles).
Bucky Brooks' top three collegiate cornerback prospects: 1, Mansor Delane, Louisiana State; 2, Jermod McCoy, Tennessee; 3, Aveion Terrell, Clemson.
Oehser analysis: The Jaguars reshaped this area throughout the 2025 season, turning it into a solid and deep position as 2026 approaches. Hunter, who projects as an elite lockdown cornerback, figures to start and play the majority of snaps at one outside corner in his second NFL season – with the reliable and improving Brown the likely outside corner opposite Hunter. Lewis' projected return and the development of Jones in 2025 makes the nickel and reserve corner positions strong, with the team liking Braswell and encouraged about his development as a reserve. The key here moving forward is Hunter developing into the playmaking, shutdown corner the team expected when they selected him No. 2 overall last offseason. Lewis' return to health also is critical; he was a playmaking leader during the first half of the 2025 season before his injury.
Brooks analysis: After a disappointing 2024 campaign, the Jaguars' defensive backfield bounced back in a major way. The schematic and philosophical change under new defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile, combined with personnel upgrades that brought over Lewis, Newsome and safety Eric Murray – and the continued development of Brown, Jones and safety Antonio Johnson – helped the Jaguars stifle opponents with a "vision-and-break" defense that relied heavily on zone-based coverage concepts. With a veteran-laden secondary in place to eliminate the deep balls and big plays that tested the discipline of the unit, the Jaguars dared opponents to drive the length of the field on an assortment of swings, screens and short throws. Moreover, the defensive backfield routinely took the ball away by snagging overthrown or tipped passes within their assigned area. From an individual development standpoint, the steady improvement of Brown, Jones, and Johnson was a significant development for the team. The young trio heeded the advice of their veteran leaders and devoted more time to their craft, becoming key contributors down the stretch. Although Hunter's full-time defensive role never materialized, the 2025 first-rounder flashed the instincts, awareness and ball skills that will make him a game-changer down the road. Given the impressive progress of the group, particularly the young players, the Jaguars' defensive backfield could become the strength of the team in 2026.
Relive the top defensive moments of the 2025 season and the plays that defined the Jaguars defense.
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Tennessee Titans
DE Josh Hines-Allen (41)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Tennessee Titans
DE Josh Hines-Allen (41)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Kansas City Chiefs
CB Montaric Brown (30)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Carolina Panthers
CB Jourdan Lewis (2)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Los Angeles Chargers
S Antonio Johnson (26)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Indianapolis Colts
CB Jarrian Jones (22)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Houston Texans
S Antonio Johnson (26)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs New York Jets
LB Ventrell Miller (51)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Kansas City Chiefs
S Andrew Wingard (42)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Los Angeles Chargers
DE Josh Hines-Allen (41)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Tennessee Titans
DL Danny Striggow (92)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Indianapolis Colts
DE Josh Hines-Allen (41)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs San Francisco 49ers
LB Devin Lloyd (0) and S Antonio Johnson (26)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs San Francisco 49ers
DT Arik Armstead (91) and DE Josh Hines-Allen (41)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
LB Foyesade Oluokun (23)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
LB Devin Lloyd (0)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Houston Texans
CB Jarrian Jones (22)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Arizona Cardinals
DL Austin Johnson (99) and DL Emmanuel Ogbah (90)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Arizona Cardinals
S Antonio Johnson (26)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Arizona Cardinals
S Rayuan Lane III (25) and CB Christian Braswell (21)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Tennessee Titans
DE Josh Hines-Allen (41)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Tennessee Titans
LB Dennis Gardeck (47)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Indianapolis Colts
LB Foyesade Oluokun (23) and LB Devin Lloyd (0)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Kansas City Chiefs
DE Josh Hines-Allen (41)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Seattle Seahawks
CB Montaric Brown (30)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Kansas City Chiefs
LB Devin Lloyd (0)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Denver Broncos
CB Montaric Brown (30)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs San Francisco 49ers
DT Arik Armstead (91)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Denver Broncos
DL Emmanuel Ogbah (90)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Houston Texans
LB Foyesade Oluokun (23) and DC Anthony Campanile
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Houston Texans
DT Maason Smith (94)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Indianapolis Colts
LB Devin Lloyd (0)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Los Angeles Chargers
S Antonio Johnson (26)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Indianapolis Colts
DE Josh Hines-Allen (41) and CB Greg Newsome II (6)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Houston Texans
DE Josh Hines-Allen (41)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
DT Arik Armstead (91) and DE Dawuane Smoot (98)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Los Angeles Rams
LB Foyesade Oluokun (23) and DE Josh Hines-Allen (41)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Las Vegas Raiders
CB Montaric Brown (30)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Las Vegas Raiders
DE Josh Hines-Allen (41)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Tennessee Titans
DE Josh Hines-Allen (41)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Kansas City Chiefs
LB Devin Lloyd (0)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Carolina Panthers
LB Foyesade Oluokun (23)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Indianapolis Colts
LB Foyesade Oluokun (23)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Indianapolis Colts
LB Devin Lloyd (0)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Indianapolis Colts
DE Josh Hines-Allen (41)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Denver Broncos
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Seattle Seahawks
DT Arik Armstead (91) and LB Ventrell Miller (51)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs New York Jets
S Antonio Johnson (26)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs San Francisco 49ers
LB Devin Lloyd (0)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Denver Broncos
DE Travon Walker (44)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Los Angeles Chargers
DE Dawuane Smoot (98)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Houston Texans
CB Jourdan Lewis (2)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Seattle Seahawks
LB Foyesade Oluokun (23)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs San Francisco 49ers
LB Devin Lloyd (0)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Houston Texans
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Arizona Cardinals
CB Greg Newsome II (6)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Tennessee Titans
DL Austin Johnson (99)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Tennessee Titans
DL Danny Striggow (92), LB Foyesade Oluokun (23), and LB Devin Lloyd (0)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Tennessee Titans
S Antonio Johnson (26), CB Montaric Brown (30), CB Greg Newsome II (6), CB Jourdan Lewis (2)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Indianapolis Colts
CB Jarrian Jones (22)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Buffalo Bills
DE Josh Hines-Allen (41)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Buffalo Bills
DE Travon Walker (44)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Kansas City Chiefs
CB Montaric Brown (30)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Indianapolis Colts
CB Jourdan Lewis (2)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Tennessee Titans
S Antonio Johnson (26)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Houston Texans
LB Devin Lloyd (0)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Los Angeles Chargers
S Antonio Johnson (26)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs San Francisco 49ers
DT DaVon Hamilton (52)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Los Angeles Chargers
LB Devin Lloyd (0) and DE Travon Walker (44)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Carolina Panthers
DEJosh Hines-Allen (41), DE Dawuane Smoot (98) and DE Travon Walker (44)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Indianapolis Colts
LB Devin Lloyd (0)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Carolina Panthers
CB Jourdan Lewis (2)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
LB Foyesade Oluokun (23)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Los Angeles Rams
CB Greg Newsome II (6)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Los Angeles Rams
DT Maason Smith (94)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Arizona Cardinals
LB Dennis Gardeck (47)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Arizona Cardinals
DE Josh Hines-Allen (41)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Indianapolis Colts
DE Josh Hines-Allen (41)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Buffalo Bills
LB Foyesade Oluokun (23)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Carolina Panthers
S Eric Murray (29)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Carolina Panthers
CB Jourdan Lewis (2)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Tennessee Titans
S Antonio Johnson (26)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Indianapolis Colts
CB Jarrian Jones (22)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Carolina Panthers
LB Foyesade Oluokun (23)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs New York Jets
DL B.J. Green II (95)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Los Angeles Chargers
DE Travon Walker (44)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Indianapolis Colts
LB Foyesade Oluokun (23) and DC Anthony Campanile
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Houston Texans
DE Travon Walker (44)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Houston Texans
CB Jourdan Lewis (2)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Indianapolis Colts
DT DaVon Hamilton (52) and LB Devin Lloyd (0)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
S Andrew Wingard (42) and S Eric Murray (29)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Arizona Cardinals
DE Josh Hines-Allen (41)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Tennessee Titans
LB Dennis Gardeck (47)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Tennessee Titans
LB Dennis Gardeck (47) and DE Josh Hines-Allen (41)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Buffalo Bills
DE Travon Walker (44)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Tennessee Titans
CB Jarrian Jones (22)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Tennessee Titans
S Antonio Johnson (26)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Houston Texans
CB Jourdan Lewis (2)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs New York Jets
S Eric Murray (29)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs New York Jets
CB Montaric Brown (30)
