A busy week continues for the Jaguars, as the team has agreed to terms on a deal for free agent cornerback Prince Amukamara, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter). Schefter reports that it will be a one-year deal for Amukamara, who had been visiting J
acksonville today.
The Jaguars land one of free agency’s top cornerbacks on what looks like another audition for Amukamara in hopes of establishing his value to re-enter the market in 2017.
Amukamara, the No. 3-ranked cornerback on Nerdy Football’s top 50 free agents list, has struggled with injuries throughout his five-year career. The former Giants first-rounder has started more than 11 games in a season just once, doing so in 2013, and has played in more than 13 games in a season only in ’13 as well.
The former Nebraska talent missed 13 games over the past two seasons, attaching the injury-prone label to the otherwise-solid corner. A torn pectoral muscle shelved Amukamara for five games in 2015.
Although the Giants finished with the worst pass defense in football last season, Amukamara rated as Pro Football Focus’ No. 32 cornerback. The 26-year-old has just seven career interceptions, though his presence gave the Giants a strong cornerback tandem in teaming with Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.
DRC will pair with Janoris Jenkins in 2016 after the Giants distanced themselves from Amukamara and went with the former Rams second-rounder.
The Jags further bolster their secondary after bringing Tashaun Gipson aboard. Jacksonville’s pass defense ranked 29th last season. Despite signing Davon House last year, the Jags’ cornerback contingent entered this offseason a thin arrangement. Both House and Aaron Colvin were mid-tier corners, per PFF, but ranked well behind Amukamara in 2015.
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