ESPN analyst Ben Solak has some good news and some bad news as it pertains to the cornerback position this offseason. This, of course, is a position of need for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Some good news is that Solak ranked each position group from strongest to weakest, taking into account each of the free agent and draft classes this offseason.
The cornerback position was ranked the third strongest. As Solak put it, it's a good year to need a slot corner.
Unfortunately, that specific need doesn't apply all that much to the Jaguars. Still under contract are Jourdan Lewis and Jarrian Jones.
This leads us to Solak's bad news, where he said it's a bad year to need an outside corner with size.
"This year's group isn't as good," Solak said of this year's free agent class compared to last year's. "The outside-only guys are Riq Woolen (Seahawks), Jaylen Watson (Chiefs) and Jamel Dean (Buccaneers). Alontae Taylor (Saints) has inside-outside versatility, but he has always played his best ball from the slot."
The draft has a lot of talent at cornerback, but is lacking size at the position.
"The draft class looks strong for cornerback overall, but even the best players are lacking in size," wrote Solak. "LSU's Mansoor Delane and Tennessee's Jermod McCoy -- both considered clear Round 1 players -- are both listed at 6-foot and sub-195 pounds. Clemson's Avieon Terrell, the younger brother of Falcons CB A.J. Terrell Jr. and another potential first-rounder, is a nickel at 5-11, 180 pounds."
Now, while cornerback is a need, the Jaguars are still positioned fairly well here. It's not as if an overhaul is needed.
As mentioned, Lewis is in the slot, while Jones does offer some positional flexibility. Travis Hunter will reportedly be playing cornerback full-time this year, accounting for one of the outside positions.
If James Gladstone can re-sign free agent Montaric Brown and then pair that "addition" with another veteran signing or early to mid-round draft pick or two -- Jacksonville does have 11 selections -- to bolster the depth and competition here, the Jaguars should be positioned well at cornerback heading into 2026.
This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: NFL free agency: Good news, bad news for Jaguars at cornerback