Jaguars bolster secondary, draft CJ Henderson at No. 9

The Jacksonville Jaguars selected cornerback CJ Henderson out of Florida in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, No. 9 overall.

Jacksonville and general manager David Caldwell had been searching for a high-level coverage defender since dealing Jalen Ramsey to the Los Angeles Rams. More recently, Caldwell shipped A.J. Bouye to the Denver Broncos.

Henderson was an All-SEC first-team selection after a strong 2019 campaign. He excels in man coverage and tested like an elite athlete at the NFL combine in February.

Prospect Profile

School: Florida
Height: 6-1
Weight: 204 lbs

Positives

• Very good blend of size, length, and athleticism
• Offers elite speed and ability to run with any receiver all over the field
• Quick feet and extremely fluid hips to change direction
• Very patient at the line of scrimmage
• Natural playing the ball - recorded 11 pass breakups in 2019 and was very close to a few more
• Good at locating ball when facing the quarterback
• Instincts and reaction are top-notch
• Strong hands at the line of scrimmage in press coverage
• Weaponized as an effective blitzer from the boundary

Negatives

• Production declined after an excellent 2018 sophomore campaign
• Lacks physicality at the catch point
• Can be greedy waiting to make a big play, allowing easy receptions underneath
• Motor appeared to run hot and cold last season

Bottom Line

Henderson's junior season didn't go exactly according to plan after he took college football by storm the year prior, but his natural tools simply can't be ignored. The Florida standout has speed for days, with the length and ball skills to challenge opposing receivers anywhere on the field. Henderson can thrive in any scheme with his instincts. He's likely best suited for man-to-man coverage, and his future team can also utilize him in some press coverage at the line of scrimmage. If he improves his physicality and learns when to take risks, Henderson can develop into a Pro Bowl talent.