Jaguars sign first, first-round selection CB CJ Henderson

The Jaguars have officially signed their first of two first-round selections in cornerback CJ Henderson. Henderson will be given a reported four-year contract that is worth $20.5M fully guaranteed and includes no offsetting language, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

Henderson, drafted with the ninth-overall selection of the 2020 NFL Draft out of the University of Florida was selected with the intentions of quickly becoming the team’s No. 1 cornerback opposite of third-year cornerback Tre Herndon following the departure of cornerbacks A.J. Bouye and Jalen Ramsey in the last calendar year.

The Jaguars had two first round selections in this year’s draft, including the 20th overall selection in which Jacksonville obtained from the Los Angeles Rams in the Ramsey trade.

“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,” Jaguars general manager Dave Caldwell said of CJ Henderson following his selection. “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.”

The Jaguars have now signed seven out of their 12 draft picks, including Henderson, wide receiver Laviska Shenault, defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton, offensive lineman Ben Bartch, linebacker Shaq Quarterman, wide receiver Collin Johnson and tight end Tyler Davis.