Jaguars cut two young defensive backs, per reports

The Jacksonville Jaguars made two somewhat surprising cuts in their defensive back room, reports said.

In the aftermath of a somewhat surprising release of defensive lineman Datone Jones on Friday, reports have the Jacksonville Jaguars making two more eye-brow raising cuts before Saturday's cutdown deadline. 

The Jaguars cut second-year safety C.J. Reavis, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. They also cut rookie cornerback Tae Hayes, according to Phillip Heilman of The Athletic. 

The #Jaguars are waiving rookie CB Tae Hayes, per source. Hayes had an interception and four passes defensed in a productive preseason.

— Phillip Heilman (@phillip_heilman) August 30, 2019

In a preseason that saw the vast majority of the Jaguars starting defensive backs barely play, Reavis and Hayes were among the two most impressive players in the unit this month. Overall, they were two of the team's most impressive players in general during the preseason. 

#Jaguars safety C.J. Reavis posted this on Instagram about an hour ago. Could be nothing but interesting wording. pic.twitter.com/P5jVrUqeUQ

— Jaguars OnSI (@JaguarsOnSI) August 30, 2019

Reavis' cut can likely be called the team's most surprising one reported so far, considering he appeared to be pushing starting safety Jarrod Wilson early on in the preseason. With him out of the picture, Andrew Wingard and Josh Robinson's chances to make the 53-man roster have skyrocketed, while Cody Davis was always a lock to make the roster. 

The cut of Hayes is a little less surprising due to how deep the team is at cornerback, but Hayes had been up there with Breon Borders as the team's top defensive playmaker this offseason. He could be a practice squad candidate.