2023 Offseason Analysis with Oehser & Brooks

JACKSONVILLE – Senior writer John Oehser and Jaguars analyst Bucky Brooks examine the Jaguars’ safeties in this position-by-position look at the ’23 offseason:

Position coach: Cody Grimm

• S Rayshawn Jenkins (17)
• S Andre Cisco (16)
• S Andrew Wingard (3)

• Daniel Thomas
• Tyree Gillespie
• Ayo Oyelola
• Deionte Thompson

2022 at a glance: This was a key area of the ’22 Jaguars’ defense, with the secondary as a whole struggling at times early in the regular season then making multiple clutch – and critical – plays in the late-season run to the AFC South title. The safeties were key to that improvement and were critical to the team’s dramatic improvement creating turnovers – which defined the Jaguars’ defensive improvement and keyed the late-season playoff push. Cisco, a third-round selection in the 2021 NFL Draft, moved into the starting lineup in his second NFL season and improved as the season continued; he finished with 70 tackles, 46, solo, with one tackle for loss – and three interceptions with 10 passes defensed. Jenkins, who signed with the Jaguars as an unrestricted free agent in the 2021 offseason, finished third on the team in 2022 with 112 tackles, 71 solo, with three tackles for loss – and three interceptions with 12 passes defensed. He turned in two of the biggest plays of the Jaguars season, returning an interception for a game-winning touchdown in an overtime victory over Dallas and forcing a sack-fumble that outside linebacker Josh Allen returned for the game-winning touchdown in an AFC South-clinching victory over the Tennessee Titans in the regular-season finale. Wingard registered 23 tackles, four solo, with two tackles for loss – and one pressure, one fumble recovery, a forced fumble and an interception.

Offseason storyline: The offseason for this group to date has been about ensuring continuity and stability at a solid position rather than making changes. Jenkins performed well enough in his second season with the team to return as a key starter…