The Jaguars exited the 2024 NFL draft with nine new contributors, bolstering their roster with potential after signing eight free agents between March and April in their offseason-long effort to reclaim postseason status this year.
How impactful might Jacksonville’s rookie class be as the team chases a playoff spot?
Jaguars Wire is projecting roles and rookie production for each of Jacksonville’s 2024 draft picks, continuing the series by focusing on the Jaguars’ fifth-round, No. 153 overall selection, cornerback Deantre Prince.
Deantre Prince’s projected role with the Jaguars
Prince was Jacksonville’s second cornerback selection in April, following Jarrian Jones in the third round. While Jones is viewed primarily as a fit at nickel corner, Prince is a career outside coverage defender and is likely to continue at that spot in the NFL.
General manager Trent Baalke suggested after the draft that Prince was ranked higher on the Jaguars’ big board than where they landed him, roughly halfway through the fifth round.
“There’s a six-foot corner that runs, I think clocked in at 4.36 [in the 40-yard dash], I believe,” Baalke said. “He’s 184 pounds, the guy can run, he can cover, he’s got instincts. There’s a lot to like. We had him higher on the board than where he fell to us. We really like a lot of things about him. We feel he can come in here and compete.”
Prince should receive occasional playing opportunities as he projects as Jacksonville’s No. 4 outside cornerback this season, behind starters, Tyson Campbell and Ronald Darby, and the Jaguars’ No. 3 corner from last year, Montaric Brown. Jones could also see snaps outside, the team has indicated.
But if the position remains healthy through the campaign, Prince’s defensive role could be fairly limited during his rookie season.
That being said, Prince figures to significantly factor into Jacksonville’s special teams, given his athletic profile. He could compete for a gunner role on the Jaguars’ punt team and is likely to play a part in kickoff coverage, especially under the league’s new kickoff rule, which was created in hopes of increased returns.
Deantre Prince’s projected rookie stats
- 20 total tackles (including on special teams)
- One defended pass
20 total tackles would have ranked No. 17 among rookie cornerbacks in 2023. One defended pass would have been tied for No. 20.
Unlike our projection for Jones, Jaguars Wire did not predict a completion percentage allowed in coverage for Prince. As things stand, we do not believe Prince will play at least 25% of Jacksonville’s defensive snaps as a rookie, a mark we previously used as a qualifier.
