Florida football: Jacksonville gets the goods with CJ Henderson
He was a potential top 10 pick in the NFL Draft but the expectations were lower for this Florida football cornerback.
Last year, the string of six Florida football team members being taken in the first round of the NFL Draft was broken.
It’s time to start a new streak.
And it starts with junior cornerback CJ Henderson.
Henderson, who was projected to be picked at No. 12 or No. 13 surprised a lot of pundits when it was taken at No. 9 by the Jacksonville Jaguars.
He was the second corner taken in the draft after Ohio State’s Jeff Okudah was selected at No. 3 by the Detroit Lions. Okudah’s pick left Henderson as the highest-rated cornerback left on the draft board.
Henderson Fills a Big Gap
At 6-foot-1 and 204 pounds, Henderson brings size and solid man coverage to a team that gave up 3,778 yards of passing and 22 touchdowns last season.
The Jaguars only had 10 interceptions of opposing quarterbacks, meaning their opponents had little trouble throwing downfield.
9. Scouting Report. Cornerback. Florida Gators. Pick Analysis. CJ Henderson. player. 52
But now with Henderson in the mix, Jacksonville gets a big-time corner with speed and the ability to match-up with some of the best receivers in the National Football League.
Conveniently, getting a cornerback was a need for Jacksonville — but it really wasn’t the biggest need. They also need a tackle and outside linebacker to help a defense that was 21st in the league overall in defense.
Against the pass, the Jaguars were in the middle of the pack, but they averaged just 1.9 interceptions per game — one of the worst in the league.
Henderson’s time with Florida football proves he has the ability to be an instant asset to Jacksonville — getting six interceptions (two ran back for touchdowns) along with 22 pass break-ups and 93 tackles.
What’s Next for Henderson
Henderson becomes the first Florida football player to be taken in the top 10 of the NFL Draft since Dante Fowler Jr. was taken at No. 3 overall by, guess who, the Jacksonville Jaguars back in 2015.
Fowler played four seasons with Jacksonville before being dealt to the Los Angeles Rams. This season he will play for the Atlanta Falcons.
But Henderson brings a whole new dynamic to a weak defensive unit.
His tracking ability and hand movement against receivers with the ball are nearly second to none.
In Jacksonville, Henderson will be tested to be sure. The NFL has the fastest, most athletic wide receivers that Henderson will see. It won’t be like playing for Florida football against Georgia.
Regardless, Henderson brings a lot of positives to Jacksonville, and, if used correctly, the Jaguars could have a starter in year one on their hands.
Next. Van Jefferson projected to Carolina. dark
I suspect that is exactly what they saw when they picked him Thursday night.