JACKSONVILLE – They stayed put and made their pick.
The Jaguars did so after a day of rumors and trade speculation around the league and throughout the top 10, staying at their original position at No. 9 overall in the 2020 NFL Draft and selecting a cornerback. The player:
C.J. Henderson from the University of Florida.
Henderson, widely rated one of the draft's best two cornerbacks, was projected as a potential Top 10 selection in many mock drafts leading into Thursday's draft. The Jaguars made the selection around 9:18 Thursday night.
Henderson (6-feet-1, 204 pounds), who forewent his senior season to enter the draft, earned first-team All-Southeastern Conference honors in 2019. He played nine games and made 33 tackles with 11 passes defensed. He then missed the Gators' bowl game to stay healthy and prepare for the draft.
Henderson was named second-team All-SEC as a sophomore, starting all 13 games with 38 tackles, five for loss, three sacks, two interceptions and two forced fumbles. He started five games with 11 appearances in 2017 and earned freshman All-SEC honors. Henderson registered 22 tackles and four interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns.
The Cincinnati Bengals selected 2019 Heisman Trophy winner and Louisiana State quarterback Joe Burrow No. 1 overall Thursday, with the Washington Redskins selecting Ohio State edge defender Chase Young No. 2, the Detroit Lions selecting Ohio State cornerback Jeff Okudah No. 3, the New York Giants taking Georgia offensive tackle Andrew Thomas No. 4, the Miami Dolphins selecting Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa No. 5, the Los Angeles Chargers drafting Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert No. 6, the Carolina Panthers choosing Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown No. 7 and the Arizona Cardinals selecting Clemson linebacker/safety Isaiah Simmons No. 8.
The first eight selections featured no trades after a day of speculation regarding most of the selections outside No. 1 overall.
Henderson was the second corner selected Thursday, and became the sixth Florida player selected by the Jaguars in Round 1. The others: running back Fred Taylor (1998), safety Reggie Nelson (2007), defensive end Derrick Harvey (2008), defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. (2015) and defensive tackle Taven Bryan (2018).
The selection marked the third time in franchise history the Jaguars have selected a cornerback in the first round. They selected Jalen Ramsey from Florida State in Round 1 in 2016 and Fernando Bryant from Alabama in Round 1 in 1999.
Jaguars select Florida cornerback C.J. Henderson with the ninth pick of the 2020 NFL Draft.
Florida cornerback CJ Henderson poses for a portrait during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Todd Rosenberg via AP)
Florida cornerback CJ Henderson poses on set for the NFL network film crew during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Todd Rosenberg via AP)
Miami tight end Will Mallory, front left, can't make the catch on a pass as he is defended by Florida defensive back CJ Henderson (1) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Florida cornerback cornerback CJ Henderson (5) in action during an NCAA college football game against Florida State in Tallahassee, Fla., Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018 (Tom DiPace via AP)
Florida defensive back C J Henderson runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Florida cornerback CJ Henderson (5) breaks up a pass intended for Vanderbilt wide receiver Trent Sherfield (10) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
FILE - In this Aug. 24, 2019, file photo, Florida defensive back CJ Henderson (1) follows a play during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Miami in Orlando, Fla. The Jacksonville Jaguars selected Henderson in the first round of the NFL draft. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)
Florida defensive back C.J. Henderson participates in a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 1, 2020, in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Florida cornerback CJ Henderson poses for a portrait during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Todd Rosenberg via AP)
Florida defensive back C J Henderson runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2020. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Florida defensive back CJ Henderson takes up his position during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Missouri Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Florida defensive back CJ Henderson (5) lines up for a play during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Charleston Southern Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Florida cornerback CJ Henderson poses for a portrait during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Todd Rosenberg via AP)
Florida defensive back CJ Henderson, right, covers Missouri wide receiver Jonathan Nance during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, in Columbia, Mo. Florida won 23-6. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Florida defensive back CJ Henderson takes up his position during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Missouri Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Charleston Southern wide receiver Kameron Brown can't make a catch in the end zone as Florida defensive back CJ Henderson (5) breaks up the pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Florida defensive back CJ Henderson (1) rushes the line of scrimmage during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Miami Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Florida defensive back CJ Henderson covers a play against Vanderbilt during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
