Jaguars State of the Roster: Safety

The Jaguars’ safety room is among the team’s more competitive groups, featuring veteran Rayshawn Jenkins, as well as the talented Andre Cisco and Antonio Johnson. As Ryan Nielsen molds this defense to his likeness, it will be interesting to see what personnel changes come with this shift in identity. Who stays and who goes?

Here is the state of the Jaguars’ safety position.

Under Contract

Rayshawn Jenkins

Age: 30.

Experience: 7 seasons/109 appearances/80 starts

2023 Production: 101 total tackles, nine pass deflections and two interceptions.

Rayshawn Jenkins has been as consistent a player as any for the Jacksonville Jaguars since the team signed him in the 2021 offseason. He’s never been a superstar safety, but Jenkins is the type of player every NFL is built upon. He’s been a reliable, solid starter for the Jaguars and allowed young players to develop around him.

Unfortunately, Jenkins time in Jacksonville might have come to an end as it’s possible the team moves on from Jenkins in favor of Antonio Johnson, who played really good football at the end of his rookie season. Jenkins carries a $12 million cap figure into 2024.

Andre Cisco

Age: 23.

Experience: 3 seasons/47 appearances/33 starts

2023 Production: 62 total tackles, five pass deflections and four interceptions.

Andre Cisco has developed quite nicely as the Jaguars’ free safety, collecting seven interceptions the last two seasons. His last two seasons have also included 15 pass deflections.

Ryan Nielsen’s defense will feature more man coverage on defense so it will be curious how the new defensive scheme will impact Cisco’s play. He was recently named as Jacksonville’s “secret superstar” by Pro Football Focus. Can his play continue to improve on the backend of the defense for the Jaguars? His specialty has always been making plays on the ball and that’s been no different during his time in the NFL.

Andrew Wingard

Age: 27.

Experience: 5 seasons/78 appearances/26 starts

2023 Production: 45 total tackles, two pass deflections and one interception.

Andrew Wingard might be one of the most interesting players on the Jaguars’ roster. Once criticized by fans for his defensive play, he’s now among the franchise’s most beloved players and personalities. He has coined mottos, inspired memes and represented Duval County as well as any other rostered player.

He mostly serves as depth and as a special teams player nowadays with the emergence of Andre Cisco, however, he remains a critical piece for this team. He was re-signed last offseason to a three-year contract worth $9.6 million. I expect Wingard to remain the team’s primary depth piece at the safety position.

Antonio Johnson

Age: 22.

Experience: 1 season/13 appearances/3 starts

2023 Production: 17 total tackles, three pass deflections and two interceptions.

Though his rookie season started off quietly, the ending was cinematic. Johnson was the rookie fans were maybe most excited for and for good reason. He was widely regarded as a Day 2 selection, however, ended up falling to the fifth round.

Johnson came out swinging late in the second half of 2023, putting the clamps on opposing offenses. According to Pro Football Focus, he allowed an NFL Rating of just 39.2. If the Jaguars do move on from Jenkins, fans likely see Johnson replace him as the team’s starting strong safety.

Ayo Oyelola

Age: 25.

Experience: 2 seasons/0 appearances/0 starts

2023 Production: Zero total tackles, zero pass deflections and zero interceptions.

Ayo Oyelola has been a practice squad player for the Jaguars and was recently signed to a Reserve/ Future contract for the 2024 season. Originating from the United Kingdom, Oyelola impressed the Jaguars’ front office enough to warrant his place on the practice squad and roster. He’ll have a tough time going forward as the roster will only get more competitive going forward.

Erick Hallett

Age: 23.

Experience: 1 season/0 appearances/0 starts

2023 Production: Zero total tackles, zero pass deflections and zero interceptions.

Similar to Oyelola, Eric Hallett, a 2023 draftee, has yet to see NFL playing time, however he impressed Baalke and company in college at Pittsburgh. In his collegiate career, Hallett collected eight interceptions and 22 pass deflections. His lack of game experience won’t help, however, as he enters year two.

Free Agents

Daniel Thomas

Age: 25.

Experience: 4 seasons/56 appearances/4 starts

2023 Production: Eight total tackles, zero pass deflections and zero interceptions.

Daniel Thomas has created a niche for himself as an excellent special teams gunner for the team and as a depth safety piece for the defense. While he might not have seen much playing time at his listed position, his contribution to the special teams unit can’t be understated. He likely won’t be re-signed back as the Jaguars’ safety room is fairly crowded, however, I’d argue the biggest hole to be filled will be at the gunner spot.