Jacksonville got an absolute steal when former Syracuse safety Andre Cisco fell to it at the top of the third round. Once considered a first-round prospect, Cisco’s college career was derailed by two separate knee injuries that caused him to only appear in 24 games with the Orange.
But those 24 games were spectacular. Cisco totaled 13 interceptions across them, and though the Jaguars knew his health could be a concern, it was easy to justify using a third-rounder on him, given his potential upside.
It’s still early, but that gamble seems to be paying off. Cisco is fully healthy, and he logged a lot of playing time in the preseason. He hasn’t officially been named the Jags’ starter opposite free-agent acquisition Rayshawn Jenkins, but it’s probably just a matter of time.
According to Pro Football Focus, Cisco was the highest-graded rookie safety in the preseason, coming in at 81.1. That slightly edges out Denver Broncos safety Jamar Johnson (78.8), a fifth-round pick out of Indiana.
Highest-graded rookie safeties in the preseason:
🔹 Andre Cisco – 81.1
🔸 Jamar Johnson – 78.8 pic.twitter.com/YaMCDz2qcD— PFF College (@PFF_College) August 30, 2021
In the Jags’ three preseason games, Cisco totaled eight tackles, two pass breakups, and a hit on the quarterback.
Cisco could end up being one of the best value picks from the entire draft, and it seems like just a matter of time before he supplants sixth-year Jacksonville veteran Jarrod Wilson, who wasn’t named to the final roster after starting in 30 games for the team in the last three years.