The Jacksonville Jaguars are prioritizing upgrades in the trenches this offseason, but they also have significant needs to address elsewhere, particularly at cornerback. Fortunately, the Jags will have plenty of options to consider. If they opt for free agency, Sports Illustrated’s Matt Verderame believes Byron Murphy could be the perfect fit.
Verderame recently highlighted the best landing spots for Murphy, naming Jacksonville as a top contender due to their glaring need at the position and their history of aggressive moves in free agency. While Tyson Campbell is a solid cornerback, the Jaguars lack depth at the position, making Murphy an ideal addition. “Jacksonville has long been aggressive in free agency, for better or worse,” Verderame noted. “If the Jaguars plan to spend big in the coming weeks, pairing Murphy with Campbell would be a major win, especially in a conference stacked with elite quarterbacks.”
Murphy, a second-round pick by the Arizona Cardinals in 2019, signed a modest two-year deal with the Minnesota Vikings in 2023 after an injury-plagued season. He proved to be a steal, recording nine interceptions and 27 passes defensed over the past two years. While Murphy has expressed interest in returning to Minnesota, and the Vikings are working to re-sign him, there’s a chance he could hit the open market. If he does, he’ll be one of the most sought-after cornerbacks available.
It’s worth noting that Verderame’s suggestion is an opinion, not a report. However, his reasoning is sound. The Jaguars have a lockdown corner in Campbell but need a reliable starter opposite him. Rookie Jarrian Jones showed promise but seems better suited for the slot than the outside. Adding Murphy would solidify Jacksonville’s secondary and help them compete in a quarterback-heavy AFC.
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