Latest news with #JourdanLewis
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Travis Hunter on defense: How rookie impacts Jacksonville Jaguars depth at cornerback
The Jacksonville Jaguars traded up for and drafted two-way star Travis Hunter with the intention of playing him on both sides of the ball. That's still the plan so far, but his workload on the field has leaned largely toward the offense. He's only gotten reps on defense in a media-closed session for the Jaguars during the third organized team activity practice. Advertisement The team has allowed him to work with both the offense and defense in the classrooms and in meetings. Hunter has also spent extra time meeting with coaches on both sides of the ball on his own. Competition abound: Liam Coen knows Jacksonville Jaguars' defense is ahead of offense. It's part of the plan It's important to note that it's early in the process. Hunter has only been a member of the team for a little over a month. The Jaguars won't play a meaningful game until their home opener Sept. 7, leaving plenty of time for Hunter to get more time on the grass with the defense. Still, what's the current outlook for the Jaguars if Hunter doesn't see substantial time at cornerback? Versatility key for Jaguars' free agent addition defensive back Jourdan Lewis From left, Jacksonville Jaguars safety Antonio Johnson (26), safety Daniel Thomas (20), cornerback Tyson Campbell (3), safety Andrew Wingard (42) and cornerback Jourdan Lewis (2) walk off the field during the first organized team activity at Miller Electric Center Monday, May 19, 2025 in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jaguars finished as the worst passing defense in the league. As they try to turn around that performance, they'll depend on several players to close the gap. Advertisement Tyson Campbell is the clear-cut top corner on the team. He's coming off a down year where he missed games due to a soft tissue injury, but when healthy he's one of the top defenders at his position. Then there's Jourdan Lewis, a player who was brought in this offseason to be a lot of things. For starters, he was tabbed as one of the best nickel corners in the league and the Jaguars paid him as such. Nickel was an inconsistent position in the previous regime's tenure. Also, Lewis' leadership is something valued amongst the young secondary of the Jaguars. But it appears another plan for Lewis is to man the fort as Hunter comes along. Lewis has shared reps with other players opposite cornerback Tyson Campbell. Advertisement His ability to cover players inside and outside, while also adding value in run game, will be key as offenses continue to evolve. 'Jourdan obviously has been able to do that in his career,' defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile told reporters during OTA No. 4. 'I know he will continue to do that with us.' Buster Brown impresses Jaguars coaches, keying in on another sleeper season Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Montaric Brown (30) celebrates his interception during the second quarter an NFL football matchup Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024 at Everbank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union] At this point, carving out a role is nothing new for 2022 seventh round pick Montaric 'Buster' Brown. He's shown throughout his career that he'll find a role on the defense and this year isn't looking any different. With Hunter splitting time between both sides of the ball, and Lewis positioning himself as the starting nickel, Brown will once again be leaned upon as someone who'll see the field a lot for the Jaguars. Campanile called him 'physical at the line of scrimmage' and noted how attentive he is. Advertisement 'Buster's done a really good job,' the defensive coordinator said. 'He's a super diligent guy, too. Really, really detailed in what he does.' Brown recorded 75 total tackles, eight pass deflections and an interception in 10 starts for the Jaguars last season. With a potentially more defined role, he could see an uptick in those numbers. Jarrian Jones receives praise from defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile for versatility Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jarrian Jones (22) stretches of during the fourth organized team activity at the Miller Electric Center in Jacksonville, Fla. Tuesday, May 27, 2025. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union] The player who might surprise people this year is second-year player Jarrian Jones. Jones played primarily at nickel last season. This year, the coaching staff clearly want to feature him at multiple positions. Jones has seen time inside and out, like Lewis. Advertisement He's shared the field with different units, manning multiple positions across the defensive backfield. And he logged some praise from Campanile already. 'I have been really fired up about him because he is a very bright guy and he is a competitor. He definitely has the ability to play man-to-man and play sticky,' Campanile said. 'But he has good ball skills and has a ton in his body physically. "He can stop, start, really good coverage guy and has a really big skill set. A wide-ranging skill set as a DB.' That skillset could become useful if the Jaguars are forced to play Lewis at a different position for long stretches. Having a player who can slot in and be productive against wide receivers is a plus for the improvement of Jacksonville's defense. Advertisement Rather than pigeonholing him as primarily a nickel defender, expect him to move around in the defense. 'I'm really excited for where he can go this year,' Campanile said. 'This is a big opportunity for him and I think he is going to do a really good job for us this year.' This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Travis Hunter on defense: How he fits in Jacksonville Jaguars CB depth
USA Today
23-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Cowboys can still solve slot CB issue by signing $29 million FA predicted to join club
Cowboys can still solve slot CB issue by signing $29 million FA predicted to join club The Cowboys enjoyed one of the league's top slot corners for several seasons, but the position needs a solution for 2025. The Dallas Cowboys have a problem at the slot corner position. For years, they've enjoyed having one of the league's top slot corners in former Michigan Wolverine Jourdan Lewis. However he has found himself untold riches in Jacksonville. Okay, they're told, and it's $30 million across a three-year deal. The Cowboys themselves were very busy this offseason, adding 13 players to the roster through free agency and trade. Adding another nine players in the 2025 draft one would think the Cowboys have found a suitable replacement for Lewis. But they have not. Also somewhat surprising is that one of the top slot corners available in free agency is still without a home in late May. Maybe the Cowboys and Mike Hilton should have a talk. An eight-year veteran who has spent his entire career in the AFC could be a solution that allows the Cowboys to keep the status quo. The Cowboys are going to miss Trevon Diggs, whose knee injury threatens his ability to start the season. The team drafted Shavon Revel in the third round, but his ACL injury from East Carolina will likely limit him as well. Dallas signed Kaiir Elam in the offseason, but like Diggs and Revel, he's been a boundary corner without much slot experience. DaRon Bland, a 2023 All-Pro and NFL Pick-6 king, does have slot experience. It's where he made his mark his rookie season and signs are pointing to the Cowboys considering playing him on the inside at least some snaps in 2025. Doing so, would leave the Cowboys somewhat vulnerable on the outside. Leaving him on the boundary leaves the club vulnerable on the inside. Signing Hilton would resolve both of those issues by having a dedicated slot guy capable of giving quality starter snaps, while allowing Dallas to build their boundary corner depth as the year progresses. Hilton had a coverage grade of just 68.5 (Pro Football Focus) in 2024 but that was after an 80.4 in 2023, one of five seasons where he graded out at least a 70 in coverage. Hilton is also adept at crashing down into the backfield, both for taking down QBs and RBs. He could be an asset to Matt Eberflus' new defense. And he shouldn't be too expensive to bring into the fold. Hilton made $6.4 million last season in Cincinnati, part of a four-year $24 million pact he agreed to in 2021. Before joining the Bengals, he played out his rookie contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers and has made just south of $29 million across his career. While Spotrac gives him a market value of $12.3 million a year, PFF has him much less at $9.5 million a season. Both of those projections were from earlier this spring, when teams had money. Perhaps now, with OTAs already underway and no takers, he signs for less. Dallas currently has around $32 million in cap space remaining, among the most in the league. Follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans!
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cowboys Make Trade Then Major Contract Decision on New Starter
FRISCO - The Dallas Cowboys have concluded their major talent acquisition periods of the offseason. Multiple additions from the draft, free agency and through trade are set to compete for positioning on the depth chart starting in the coming weeks. On the subject of trades, the Cowboys usually draw unnecessary headlines or make confounding decisions with those moves. Dallas had one that flew under the radar, bringing in Kaiir Elam from the Buffalo Bills. Advertisement Elam, the son of former Cowboys' safety Abram Elam, hopes to replenish a secondary that has some questions heading into 2025. The Cowboys lost defensive glue guy Jourdan Lewis to free agency and the injury situation around Trevon Diggs has spiraled into a matter frustrating for both the player and his team. The three-year pro last intercepted a pass in 2022, having allowed a passer rating of over 100.0 in his limited action the past two seasons. This makes for a classic Cowboys' attempt at reviving a young player. But Dallas has taken a stance this week that will make him earn it. The Cowboys will not be picking up the fifth-year option from his rookie contract. ... meaning the former Bills first-round pick will miss out on the opportunity to pocket about $12.7 million for playing in 2026. Advertisement Instead, Elam might be a starter this year ... and a free agent a year from now. Based on his recent track record, that decision unfortunately makes sense from the franchise perspective. There is simply no reason for the Cowboys to commit to Elam at this point. With Lewis gone and Diggs' availability uncertain, Elam will have the opportunity to make an impression in the Cowboys' secondary. . For Elam, his fourth-year campaign will be all about translating that work ethic into results on the field. Related: Cowboys Blue Stakes Claim To Home-Run Role with Dak Related: Eagles Just Drafted Micah Parsons 2.0
USA Today
07-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Jaguars' CB Jourdan Lewis reacts to Cowboys-Steelers George Pickens trade
Jaguars' CB Jourdan Lewis reacts to Cowboys-Steelers George Pickens trade Jaguars' CB Jourdan Lewis reacts to the Cowboys and Steelers George Pickens trade. Confirmation, God wanted me in Jacksonville. — Jourdan Lewis (@JourdanJD) May 7, 2025 For new Jaguars' cornerback Jourdan Lewis, the Dallas Cowboys' decision to trade for wide receiver George Pickens was just further confirmation that heading to Jacksonville this offseason was the right move for him. During the Cowboys vs. Steelers matchup from the 2024 season, with the clock at 0:00 following a Dallas win, Pickens grabbed Lewis by the facemask and pulled him to the ground. The Jaguars signed Lewis in free agency to a three-year, $30 million deal, with $20 million guaranteed, which at the time was the largest contract for a nickel cornerback in the NFL. Lewis was one of the better slot defenders in football last season, ranking eighth in yards per snap allowed, seventh in snaps per target, and eighth in snaps per reception, according to PFF. After the addition, GM James Gladstone would say that Lewis brings a "level of doggedness" and "toughness" to the Jaguars' secondary. His presence also provides experience and stability on the back end of the Jacksonville defense. After being one of the worst pass defenses in football last season, the Jaguars cornerback room will look a bit different now with Lewis at the nickel, along with Jarrian Jones and Travis Hunter opposite of Tyson Campbell.
USA Today
11-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Cowboys News Headlines: OL added late Monday, Cooper Kupp chances, Dowdle done in Dallas?
Cowboys News Headlines: OL added late Monday, Cooper Kupp chances, Dowdle done in Dallas? Monday was a very busy day around the league as the unofficial start of free agency got underway, and the Cowboys actually made a handful of moves, though not all of them were popular ones. Losing cornerback Jourdan Lewis is going to hurt, and replacing him won't be at all easy, especially given the team's current depth at the position. Chauncey Golston and Chuma Edoga are also set to join new clubs... and Rico Dowdle may be joining them after Dallas came to terms with a similar running back on the first day of "legal tampering." Also added, a 17-game starter along the offensive line and the long snapper who's already been in the building for several seasons. Meanwhile, we get Micah Parsons's three-letter reaction to one Commanders move, Cooper Kupp could still be in play for the Cowboys' WR2 role, and we dig into whether newly re-signed Markquese Bell is ready for a starting role at safety. We look at what his new contract could say about Donovan Wilson, we sift through the list of best available free agents after Day One, and a former Cowboy could be meeting back up with some very familiar faces as he attempts an NFL comeback. Cowboys signing OL Robert Jones to one-year deal :: Pro Football Rumors Link The Cowboys did some late-night business Monday by agreeing to add offensive lineman Rob Jones. The 26-year-old has been with Miami for four seasons and made 30 starts, including every game last year. Jones will come to Dallas on a one-year contract worth up to $4.75 million. Cowboys lose integral CB to Jaguars in $30 million free agency deal :: Cowboys Wire Link Jourdan Lewis will become the NFL's top-paid nickel corner with a $30 million three-year deal from Jacksonville. A leader both on the field and in the Cowboys locker room, Lewis saw four different defensive coordinators come and go in Dallas over eight seasons. Cowboys wanted Jourdan Lewis back. Losing the veteran puts Dallas in a bind at key spot :: Dallas Morning News Link The Jags' offer to Lewis proved to be far more than the Cowboys were reportedly willing to part with to keep him. 'God's timing,'' Lewis said on social media. Now Dallas may open the 2025 season without two of their top three corners from last year. Trevon Diggs is rehabbing, leaving DaRon Bland the only proven starter remaining. If the team doesn't dip into the free-agent market to replace Lewis, selecting at least one corner in the April draft — arguably in the first two days — becomes imperative. Cowboys to grab former Broncos 2nd-round RB on cheap, prove-it free agency deal :: Cowboys Wire Link Dallas got in on the first day of signings, but elected not to break the bank. The team agreed to a one-year deal with Javonte Williams for a reported $3 million. The ex-Bronco had over 1,200 yards from scrimmage as a rookie in 2021, but he hasn't been quite the same since a knee injury the following season. He may serve the role of the grinder out of the Cowboys backfield as the entire RB room undergoes a huge makeover. Cowboys agree to deal with running back Javonte Williams. Is Rico Dowdle's time in Dallas done? :: Fort Worth Star-Telegram Link Dowdle is expected to earn a deal in the neighborhood of $6 million per season, likely pricing him out of Dallas. A team source has hinted that Dowdle's time with the team is indeed over. The Cowboys will remain players to land a running back in the draft, having met formally with several of the top options at the scouting combine. Report: Key piece of Cowboys' OL depth to depart in free agency :: Cowboys Wire Link Chuma Edoga, who has filled in at both guard and tackle for the Cowboys over the past two years, is headed to Jacksonville. The veteran started 10 games in a Cowboys uniform and proved to be a versatile depth piece up front. Golston to join G-Men :: Tom Pelissero Cowboys win big with preemptive free agent signings :: Cowboys Wire Link While the Cowboys didn't make headlines with a big free agency splash on Day One, they did come into the week having already made deals to retain some key players. Not letting Osa Odighizuwa, Brock Hoffman, Markquese Bell, or KaVontae Turpin hit the open market shouldn't be overlooked as fans grade their teams' roster moves. Cooper Kupp landing spots: Best fits for All-Pro WR who's set to be released if Rams can't find trade partner :: CBS Sports Link Whispers about 2021's Offensive Player of the Year and Super Bowl LVI MVP coming to Dallas will only get louder with news that the Rams say they will release Kupp on Wednesday if they cannot find a trade partner for him before then. The Cowboys need reinforcements around CeeDee Lamb, and Kupp's college mentor is now on Brian Schottenheimer's staff. Cowboys sign key member of special teams kicking operation to 3-year contract :: Cowboys Wire Link For the second year in a row, long snapper Trent Sieg was the Cowboys' first signing of the free agency period. This time, it's on a three-year contract worth $4.45 million. Sieg has proven to be a valuable component of the Cowboys' kicking battery, helping punter Bryan Anger and phenom placekicker Brandon Aubrey lead their respective positions. Micah Parsons was not happy about Laremy Tunsil Commanders trade :: Link The Texans sent the monster offensive tackle to Washington, where the Cowboys will see him twice a season from now on. Tunsil ranked fourth in the league in pass blocking, allowing just two sacks all season. Parsons reacted on social media with just three letters: "WTF," he posted on X. 7th-year, $24 million starter's job now in jeopardy after Cowboys spend some cash :: Cowboys Wire Link The team wanting to keep Markquese Bell isn't a surprise, but their financial commitment could signal expectations of a much bigger role. Heavy hitter Donovan Wilson is coming off a noticeably down year; his inconsistency may open the door for Bell to get more playing time and set the stage for his own departure from Dallas. Is Markquese Bell ready to compete for a starting job on the Dallas Cowboys' defense? :: Cowboys Wire Link Bell saw just six percent of the team's defensive snaps last season, so it may be premature to assume his new deal automatically pencils him in as a starter at safety. The Cowboys may simply want to lock him in as a more-than-capable backup and special-teams contributor, knowing he can also moonlight at linebacker-type duties in certain packages. Dallas has questions there, too. Who are the best available NFL free agents? Aaron Rodgers, Stefon Diggs among the big names :: The Athletic Link As the first day of legal tampering ended, there were still plenty of players available who should be of interest to the Cowboys. Jonathan Allen, Javon Hargrave, or Dalvin Tomlinson could turn the Dallas D-line into an area of strength overnight. Stefon Diggs, Amari Cooper, and Tyler Lockett are still very capable WR2s. And Za'Darius Smith, Joey Bosa, and Von Miller could all be worth kicking the tires on to see what they have left. Yes, the Cowboys can attack 2025 free agency with urgency as well as frugality. Will they? :: Cowboys Wire Link This year's free agent class has a deep pool of affordable role players at positions where the Cowboys should be looking. That should help them stick to their usual plan of letting the market come to them after the initial frenzy, yet still come away with quality talent. They can certainly be more active than last year without changing their identity. Former Cowboys WR set to visit division rival :: Ian Rapoport The Cowboys are in need of linebackers and these free agents might help :: Cowboys Wire Link The team's top options at linebacker are currently rehabbing injury, on the free agent block, or inexperienced. The front office should look at veteran options like Jack Sandborn and Kyzir White.
