With rookie minicamp taking place this weekend for the Jacksonville Jaguars, head coach Liam Coen is getting his first up-close look at safety Jalen Huskey, whom the team selected in the third round.
Catching Coen’s attention throughout the pre-draft process was Huskey’s versatility and length. Listed as a safety with the Jaguars, Huskey measured in at 6-01 with nearly 33-inch arms, and he played 752 career snaps at outside cornerback in college, along with another 193 snaps from the nickel.
“I think you look at obviously some of the trends in the NFL and some of those heavier groupings and what you have to combat that with is making decisions whether you’re going to go heavier at linebacker and go bigger people or are you investing a little bit more in some of the bigger skill players on defense, that big skill, that can play maybe at the safety position, drop down to the big nickel, play some dime. I think that’s something that’s important to us,” said Coen.
Having defenders with Huskey’s size and versatility allows the Jaguars to match bigger personnel groupings, while still having that added coverage presence in the secondary.
Last season, he allowed a completion rate when targeted of 65%, but held pass-catchers to only 7.4 yards per reception. He also logged 11 interceptions over three seasons with six pass breakups, showcasing impressive ball production, according to PFF.
“It’s been important to us really before all these trends kind of started, was that multiplicity and ability to play different positions,” Coen said. “And it also helps you on special teams when you have big, longer athletes at DB that can match up with whether it be tight ends, linebacker-type bodies on special teams is really important.”
Huskey also joins the Jaguars, having played 320 special teams snaps in his college career. So along with providing depth at safety and potentially competing for that third safety role on the depth chart, Huskey could make an immediate impact in that third phase of the game.
This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: Liam Coen details Jalen Huskey’s fit with Jaguars’ defense
Reporting by Paul Bretl, Jaguars Wire / Jaguars Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
