Jacksonville Jaguars' confusing move to sign CB Jourdan Lewis becomes more clear after breaking it all down
When the Jacksonville Jaguars were entering the 2024 NFL Draft, they knew they would have to take a corner. They did, taking Jerrian Jones, who was known for being a great slot cornerback. But, as they entered the 2024 season, the Jaguars found themselves with three players who specialize in playing great in the slot […]
When the Jacksonville Jaguars were entering the 2024 NFL Draft, they knew they would have to take a corner. They did, taking Jerrian Jones, who was known for being a great slot cornerback. But, as they entered the 2024 season, the Jaguars found themselves with three players who specialize in playing great in the slot — not that they play there the majority of the time, but that's where they are the best at. Of course that would be Jones, Antonio Johnson, and Darnell Savage.
This offseason, the Jaguars have already added one of the best slot cornerbacks in the league in Jourdan Lewis, who is now the highest paid slot in the league. And, this was a move that was a bit head-scratching. You have three guys very capable of playing in the slot, and you spend a three-year, $30 million deal on a guy who also excels at that.
However, when you really take the time to break it all down, it makes so much sense. And just so we could get a better grip on who Lewis is as a player, who better to ask than a someone who hs watched every snap of his for the last few years? A to Z Sports Dallas' Mauricio Rodriguez broke down Lewis and his game a bit for us.
Jourdan Lewis will help establish a culture that isn't present in Jax
"Dawg" is a term used loosely in the world of sports. For Jourdan Lewis, however, it's the first word that comes to my mind. For years, he's been one of the most underrated nickel cornerbacks in the league and fresh off of the best season of his career, the Jaguars took notice. In the former third-round pick out of Michigan, the Jaguars are adding a versatile player that can cover some of the best receivers in the game (see his matchup versus Amon-Ra St. Brown in 2023, who by the way described him as one of his least favorite defenders to face).
Lewis is also a great tackler who can get dirty in the trenches. His physicality is impressive for a 5-foot-10 undersized back. Here he is solo tackling Browns TE David Njoku on open space, who weighs 51 pounds more than him. In other words, the Jags got themselves a veteran who will make an impact on the field immediately. On top of that, he carries an imposing attitude with him on the field and the trash talk is always there. This guy was trash talking Dez Bryant in training camp when he was a rookie in 2017. You get the picture. – Mauricio Rodriguez
Why did the Cowboys not keep him?
Unlike the Jags, the Cowboys aren't known to be big-time spenders. In fact, all the opposite. The moment Lewis went off in 2024, doubts began to emerge about whether or not Dallas would spend to keep him around. Ahead of the 2024 season, Lewis bet on himself by agreeing to a $2.8 million deal to stay with the Cowboys.
He made that count, as evidenced by his value ballooning enough to become the highest-paid nickel cornerback in the NFL. In other words, the better Lewis played, the less likely he was to return in 2025. Jags fans shouldn't see that as a negative. – Mauricio Rodriguez
Jourdan Lewis is worth every penny
The Jaguars cleared some of their roster before free agency to have enough room to bring in some guys that could really change the floor of this team. This signing was one of the moves to do that, as Lewis is a guy that really won't make many mistakes and hurt you as a team. And let's be honest, how much worse can it get from last season?
New general manager James Gladstone said that everyone should be ready to see this team better, in a much faster time frame, on the defensive side of the ball than they were last year. And, this move would help back up that claim. It's safe to say the Dallas Cowboys are going to be missing a lockdown slot.
With all of the weapons that the Houston Texans have, the team at the top of the AFC South, this was a brilliant move by the Jaguars if they want to get back to competing for the division title. Of course, they have to get past the Tennessee Titans and Indianapolis Colts first.
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