Jaguar Report

Jacksonville Jaguars Agree to Terms with Corner CJ Henderson

The Jacksonville Jaguars first round pick out of Florida has signed with his new team.

Kassidy Hill

Jacksonville Jaguars Agree to Terms with Corner CJ Henderson
Jacksonville Jaguars Agree to Terms with Corner CJ Henderson /

The Jacksonville Jaguars have agreed to terms with first-round rookie corner CJ Henderson, the team announced Thursday. 

The contract is for $20.5 million fully guaranteed and Is a four year deal with a standard fifth-year option, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. 

The 6'1", 204 lb. Henderson was the Jags first pick at No. 9 overall in the 2020 NFL Draft. In his three years in Gainesville, the former Florida Gator amassed 85 total tackles, 20 pass breakups, six interceptions (two returned for touchdowns), three sacks and two forced fumbles. 

It was announced on Tuesday that Henderson was tied with Jeff Okudah (Detroit Lions) as the highest rated rookie corner on the upcoming Madden NFL 21 video game. Both of the Top 10 picks received a 76 overall rating. 

Henderson is now the seventh in the Jaguars record breaking rookie class to sign his rookie contract. Offensive lineman Ben Bartch, wide receiver Laviska Shenault, defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton, linebacker Shaquille Quarterman, wide receiver Collin Johnson and tight end Tyler Davis have already signed. Still to sign are the Jags other first rounder K'Lavon Chaisson (No. 20 overall), fourth-round pick Josiah Scott, fifth-round safety Daniel Thomas, sixth-round quarterback Jake Luton and seventh-round cornerback/return specialist Chris Claybrooks.

Following the departure of both Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye, it's expected Henderson will at least be a Day One contributor if not a starter at corner, opposite Tre Herndon. Defensive coordinator Todd Wash told reporters in June about both Henderson and Chaisson, "Well, I think, you know, we want both of them to be plugged in the first game and playing a majority of the reps.

"We know that they have the physical skills to play at this level, obviously, you know, both of them being drafted in the first round. But we anticipate both of them to be solid impact players for us, you know, week one. Once again, we're going to figure a lot more about that once we get on grass in training camp, but both of them physically have the abilities to be impact players early in their career."

When the Jaguars first began watching Henderson's tape during the draft process, Head Coach Doug Marrone said they saw a guy ready to be a No. 1 corner. 

 “I really feel like you have someone that you could put on a No. 1 receiver, and the reason why I believe that is because C.J. has speed. Sometimes these No. 1 receivers may be smaller, fast guys. C.J. is big, also physical in press so you can put him on the bigger, stronger receivers, so I felt that he’s a great fit, a guy that can truly be a No. 1 corner and can take guys out of the game. Because sometimes you get these corners that are really big and strong, but they get these fast guys and sometimes they don’t want to press them. 

"C.J. is big and strong and he can run, and he has a ton of range and he has a ton of makeup speed and he has a ton of burst. You see these things when you watch the tape and you realize for yourself, you say, ‘OK, here’s this player.’ And I’m talking to [Defensive Coordinator Todd Wash] ‘Washer’ and I’m talking to [Secondary Coach – Cornerbacks] Tim Walton, and you say, ‘Here’s this guy and here are all these skills and this guy wants to be a great player and he’s still going to develop.’ It’s not like anyone we’re bringing in is ready-made. At the end of the day, we’re looking at it, and not to go against anyone else that went before him or anyone else who has been here before, but we feel he has the potential to be a true No. 1.”

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Kassidy Hill
KASSIDY HILL

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