Entering the first year of a new regime, the Jaguars could arguably use every young talent they can get. But with the Urban Meyer and Trevor Lawrence era just a month from kicking off, Jacksonville appears to be shopping one of its top young investments. According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the Jaguars have given the impression to other teams that they're willing to trade 2020 first-round pick C.J. Henderson just a year after drafting the cornerback No. 9 overall.
Henderson and the Jaguars are in good standing, Fowler reported Sunday, and the second-year cover man just returned from COVID-19 reserve this week, presumably to resume starting reps in training camp. But Jacksonville apparently likes its other cornerbacks enough to dangle Henderson, who joined the team under the previous Doug Marrone-Dave Caldwell regime, on the trade block. The Jags may very well keep the 22-year-old corner, per Fowler, but "multiple team execs believe" he's already available.
Henderson saw his 2020 rookie season hindered by a groin injury, missing eight games and starting the other eight with mixed results. A Florida standout prior to beginning his NFL career, he managed six pass deflections and one interception for a porous Jacksonville secondary, which got several reinforcements this offseason. The team's biggest additions came in the form of former Seahawks veteran Shaquill Griffin, who landed a three-year, $44.5 million contract in free agency; and Georgia product Tyson Campbell, another corner drafted 33rd overall this April.
As of now, Henderson is still slated to open 2021 as one of the Jags' starting corners opposite Griffin, with Campbell, Tre Herndon and Sidney Jones as the top reserves.
