Why the Jaguars Have a Promising Secondary Unit in 2026
On the defensive side of the ball, one of the most important positions on the field is the secondary unit. Whether it’s cornerbacks or safeties, they’re crucial in creating opportunities for turnovers and changing the tide of an entire game. The Jacksonville Jaguars have one of the more young secondaries in the league, with second-year corner and college phenom Travis Hunter leading the charge. While other teams like the New York Jets had no interceptions all season long in 2025, the Jaguars look to have their secondary leading the category and become one of the most feared groups in the entire league.
First, we’ll take a look at their loaded cornerback room. As of right now, Hunter and former Arkansas Razorback Montaric Brown lead the core as the first-stringers. Brown had himself a stellar 2025 campaign, so good that it earned him a three-year, $33 million contract extension. In 15 games, Brown ended with two interceptions and 12 pass deflections alongside his 51 tackles. Hunter, on the other hand, didn’t find himself as lucky as Brown. Injuries would end the rookie’s season early, playing in only seven games with 11 tackles and three pass deflections. Head coach Liam Coen and the team plan to play the former Colorado Buffalo more on the defensive side of the ball, which is the right decision as he’ll likely have more chances to develop into a star corner at the professional level. The team also has Jourdain Lewis at nickelback, joining the Jaguars in 2025 after eight years with the Dallas Cowboys. He played 12 games in Duval County, racking up 39 tackles with two interceptions and 10 pass deflections. After recovering from a season-ending surgery in 2025, Lewis should be expected to bounce right back to an elite level and lead a relatively young depth chart.
If anything, the Jaguars safeties are just as impressive as the cornerbacks. Veterans Eric Murray and Antonio Johnson lead the group, followed by Rayuan Lane III and Caleb Ransaw. Murray had himself a solid 2025 campaign despite missing a few games due to a neck injury, ending the season with one interception and six pass deflections in 12 games. Johnson, the Jaguars’ fifth-round selection in 2023, is a name many expect to break out in 2026. The former Aggie had his best season in 2025, finding himself making plays all over the field. He racked up 58 tackles alongside two sacks, five interceptions, and nine pass deflections. At only 24 years old, Johnson can grow into a superstar very soon. Lane and Ransaw are mainly depth pieces, with both bound to make an impact on a team that’s ready for a deep playoff run.
